The joys and heartbreak of sport were illustrated in stark terms over twenty-four hours in the contrasting fortunes of two footballers who lined out together in the Shamrocks colours last year. On Saturday, Conor O'Brien was part of the history making Irish rugby team that beat New Zealand 33-24 in the World Under-20 Rugby Cup competition. This was the first occasion that a male team representing Ireland beat New Zealand and we send our congratulations to Conor.

Jordan Ward...e was the unfortunate one and suffered a serious knee injury that necessitated the premature termination of the junior football championship match v The Downs on Friday night. Jordan had just returned from injury and was in flying form in his two comeback games against Garrycastle and The Downs. We wish Jordan a sppedy recovery and hopefully he will be back tormenting defenders before long.

Shamrocks lined out as follows V The Downs: Daragh Ryan; Kyle Maguire (Dermot Curley), Robert Ryan, Ryan Blundell; Mark McLoughlin, David Miller, Ross Corroon; Donal O'Donoghhe and Pearse Corroon; Nathan Smyth, Darren Keena, SEan Maguire; Mickey McKnight (Micheal Burke), Anthony Clinton, Jordam Warde.