Under-11 Blitz
The recent under-11 Blitz organised and hosted by Mullingar Shamrocks got lost in a mixture of Turkey and Grease and although it is over a month since the tournament was held it is essential that the efforts of the organisers and helpers involved are recognised and acknowledged. The under-10 Blitz was held in glorious sunshine; the weather, a week later, for the under-11 tournament was at the opposite end of the climate spectrum which made things more difficult for everyone. The weather was simply atrocious; to paraphrase Bob Dylan, it was one of those days where you didn’t need the weather man to say which way the wind (and rain) was blowing.
Shamrocks were drawn in a group with Navan O’Mahoneys (5-6 to 0-2), Salthill (1-5 to 2-2) and Simonstown Gaels (12-2 to 0-1) and topped the group to qualify for the semi-final in which they defeated Maynooth (2-6 to 0-1). In the final, Shamrocks were defeated by Kilmacud Crokes (3-3 to 0-5), and the Dublin club gained some revenge for their defeat by Shamrocks in the under-10 final a week earlier. The Shield Competition was won by the Barna Club from Galway who defeated Navan O’Mahoney’s in the final whilst Millmore Gaels defeated Simonstown Gaels in the Plate final.
The catering staff performed their own miracle of loaves and fishes on the day in ensuring that all present were fed. Tara and Sarah Boyle, Janice Carey, Deirdre and Murty Ryan, Amy Ryan, Aishling O’Keeffe supported by Saoirse and Ellie; and Joan Ormsby supervised the tea and coffee tables. Michelle Kelly, Ger Cornally, Bev Doran, Sandra Ledwith, Tina Maguire, Eileen Mulhearne, Claire O’Reilly, Carol Fagan, Colette Scally, Daniella Egan and Emma McCabe looked after the home baking and supplied enough sandwiches, buns, biscuits, cakes, fruit and sweets to feed the multitude that were treated to typical Shamrocks hospitality on the day. Because of the day that was in it special Father’s Day cakes were on offer together with coffee cakes, apple tarts, green Shamrocks buns and freshly made eclairs as a special Father’s Day treat for the dedicated coaches. Because of the atrocious weather no restrictions were in place as to who or how often a person was fed.
Pat Collins worked miracles with the spin dryer in the club’s laundry ensuring teams had dry sets of gear. Umpires, linesmen and referees braved the elements all day without complaint and at the end of the day, county players Killian Daly and Patrick Fagan, were on hand to make the medal presentations.
Over the two days, Mullingar Shamrocks hosted sixteen different clubs from ten different counties stretching from Wicklow to Galway. My mother always said that ‘self-praise was no praise’ so we will leave the final words to an outside observer, Declan Mahon, from the Barna Club who sent this message to the club.
‘To all in Mullingar Shamrocks: Thank you so much to you and the army of people in shamrocks for a great day’s football yesterday and your club’s very generous hospitality. It was a super experience for our lads to play teams from other counties and it is a credit to you and your club that despite such bad weather that the tournament went off so smoothly, on time and I didn’t hear one moan!! Also a massive thanks to your refs and linesman who stood out in the rain all day with a smile on their face. Those young lads are an absolute credit to your club!!! Many thanks to all again and if you could keep the Barn a GAA club in mind again for next year’s tournament.’
