Under 13s trip to the Connacht Dome:

The GAA connections never cease to surprise and two former teaching colleagues from Westmeath VEC crossed paths in ways last Friday afternoon in the superb facility that is the Connacht GAA Dome. The brainchild of long serving Connacht Secretary John Prenty was the venue for the Mullingar Shamrocks’ under 13 squad that travelled to Bekan on Friday last. Shamrocks’ long serving PRO Dr Tom Hunt showed his typical commitment to the cause when he travelled west to record events for our social media outlets. Tom and John soldiered together as work colleagues in the VEC during the 70s and rumours that they faced each other on the playing pitch are not backed up by the necessary paperwork!! Both men have given fantastic service to the Association over many years.
The Shamrocks’ contingent of 40 players and 6 coaches had a brilliant day out and great credit is due to lead mentor Oisin Masterson and his phalanx of coaches, Micheal Burke, Derek Sheerin, Emerson Farrelly, Greg Gavin and Adrian Regan who facilitated the memorable trip. The boys played 10 a side matches, had skills competitions to win Shamrocks’ gear, faced each other in a 20 a side game and ended the day with players and coaches vainly trying to hit the Dome roof with an O’ Neill’s ball, Emerson Farrelly claimed to have succeeded but there were no witnesses to his effort!!

An obligatory stop at one of Pat McDonagh’s restaurants on the way home completed a wonderful day out and when Marius O’ Sullivan pulled the bus into Springfield at 8.45 on Friday evening, 40 weary but exhilarated players disembarked.

This group of players began training last January and twice weekly training sessions have continued since, a testament to the coaches’ and boys’ commitment. Their progress on the pitch has been noteworthy and their behaviour on Friday was exemplary in every way although Simon Cowell is unlikely to be discovering the next Niall Horan based on the “singing” on the journey home.

The full list of players who travelled to Bekan is as follows: Sean Hickey, Sam Phillips, Ruairi Kelly, Jamie Murtagh, Manus Kelly, MJ Burke, Scott Farrelly, Hugo Corroon, Rian Sheerin, Ryan McNamee, Padraig Regan, Eoin Horan, Cian Treanor, Paddy Colleary, Conan Kelly, Carl Keane, Tom McCaul, Dylan Byrne, Conor Walsh, Harry Tilson, Theo Kelly, Josh Burke, Zac Masterson, Shane Bonar, Colm Clinton, Evan Nohilly, Oliver Keane, Jack Conlon, Noah Smyth, Conor Matthews, Darragh Daly, Fionn Ledwith, Aaron Conroy, Darragh Ryan, Shay Leavy, Killian Hand, Charlie Murtagh, Oisin Gavin, Jamie Timoney and Alfie Rock.