The Rob Cornally Memorial Under-11 Tournament ..

The series of under-age blitzes organised annually by Mullingar Shamrocks are season highlights and the first takes place tomorrow with teams registering at 10.00am. This caters for Under-11 players and this year’s edition is of extra significance as for the first-time the Rob Cornally Shield will be the winner’s prize. This trophy has been donated by our Club President Detty Cornally and her family in memory of a dearly beloved husband and father. The contribution of the Cornally family to the Mullingar Shamrocks GAA Club is obvious to all.

However, younger members might not be aware of Rob Cornally’s considerable significance. Rob was secretary of Mullingar Shamrocks in the tough days of the 1970s when the going was difficult: Rob was one of those who kept the Shamrocks ship afloat.

Rob was later secretary of the Westmeath Football Board when the going was equally tough.  

Tomorrow morning Navan O’Mahoney’s, Ballyboden St Enda’s, Maynooth, St Colmcille’s, Kilmacud Croke’s, Eadestown, Mullahoran join Westmeath clubs, St Loman’s, Kilbeggan-St Joseph’s, The Downs, Garrycastle and Mullingar Shamrocks in competition to become the first holders of the Rob Cornally Shield.

An army of volunteers has been conscripted to do justice to the occasion.