Write a commentU14 Boys – U14 Féile Shield Champions
Our U14 boy’s amalgamation of Patrick Rankins were crowned Féile Shield Champions on Saturday afternoon as they overcame Loughgilly Gaels in titanic struggle in Crossmaglen on a score-line of 4 - 7 to 2 - 10.
Loughgilly Gaels made the better start to the game and were 1 – 1 to no score up after ten minutes before the Rankin’s registered their first point of the game. They had several opportunities to go in front but a combination of some great saves from the Loughgilly keeper and wayward shooting saw them fail to add to their solitary point and minutes later Loughgilly Gaels raised their second green flag to lead by six. They tagged on a further point but a late first-half goal from the Rankin’s saw them trail by just four at the break, 2 – 2 to 1 – 1.
The sides swapped points in the opening exchanges of the second period to keep four between them but the Rankins reduced the deficit to just one with a well taken penalty. This score lifted the team and they fired over three points in row to lead by two before a Loughgilly point left just the minimum between the sides. Patrick Rankins were then awarded their second penalty of the game and it too duly was dispatched to give them a four-point advantage but Loughgilly Gaels were by no means finished and they dug deep to register the next five points to lead by one. The game was end to end now and a sixth point for Patrick Rankins saw the teams tied going into the final stages and with both sides going all out for the win the Rankins struck the fourth goal to nudge them three ahead. They followed this up with a well taken point to give them a four-point advantage however Loughgilly Gaels went all out in the closing stages to get back on terms but they only had another point to show for their efforts and it was Patrick Rankins who ran out winners by three, 4 – 7 to 2 – 10.
Great credit must go to both teams for serving up a brilliant game of football but it is the Patrick Rankins who will now head to Sligo later in the year to participate in the All-Ireland Féile.
The club would like to congratulate all the players, their managers and their mentors on a fantastic achievement.
Senior Men
A disappointing performance from our senior men saw them fall to heavy defeat away to Clan na Gael on Sunday, 5 – 13 to 2 – 9.
The Shane’s began the game brightly with Matthew Girvan opening the scoring with a well taken point, with Clan na Gael replying soon after. A Ryan Quinn point put the Shane’s ahead again but three points in row from the home side nudged them ahead by two before a pointed free from Paul O’Rourke left just the minimum between the sides. Clan na Gael then netted their first goal of the game and they almost had another minutes later but Shane’s keeper Conor McKeown made an excellent point blank safe. A point from a placed ball put the Clan’s five in front but a penalty from Connaire Mackin after Paul O’Rourke was fouled left just two between them, and late first-half point courtesy of Ryan Quinn left just one in it at the break, 1 – 5 to 1 – 4.
The home side made the best possible start to the second period netting a goal in the opening minute and followed it up with two quick-fire points. They led by six at this stage but Connaire Mackin’s second goal of the game brought the Camlough side back to within three. The sides then swapped two points apiece with Paul O’Rourke and Greg McCabe getting the Shane’s scores before Matthew Girvan made it a two-point game with just over fifteen minutes left on the clock. However, this was as good as it got for the Shane’s as Clan na Gael popped over two points on the trot before scoring two penalties in as many minutes to all but seal the win. Paul O’Rourke and Kristian Magill registered late points for the Shane’s but the home side tagged on a further 1 – 2 to leave them winners on a score-line of 5 – 13 to 2 – 9.
The lads return to action next Sunday with a home game against Mullaghbawn and will undoubtedly need to lift their performance if they want the win.
Senior Ladies
Our senior ladies were back in league action on Saturday evening with a home game against a weakened Lisummon side. The Shane’s recorded a comprehensive win having hit the front early on and they went on to totally dominate proceedings to run out comfortable winners. All the Shane’s players got a run out on the night with Dearbhla Byrne, Dearbhla Carragher and Chloe Monaghan all making their senior debuts. Training continues this Tuesday and Thursday night ay 7.00pm.
U14 Girls
Our U14 girls have their first league game of the season at home to Crossmaglen on Thursday and they warmed up for by putting on a very impressive display of football during last Tuesday evening when they defeated Carrickcruppen in a challenge game.
U12 Girls
Our U12 girls recorded their second league win of this season on Sunday with a deserved victory of Carrickcruppen. They return to action next Sunday with a home game against Silverbridge.
U8s
Training for our U8s has now moved outdoors from 6.30pm – 7.30pm on Friday evening at the field.
U6s
Our U6s have also moved on Friday evening from 6.30pm – 7.30pm at the field.
Senior Ladies – China 2019
Final preparations for our Senior Ladies visit to China are now well underway. In conjunction with Confucius Institute, who are based in Ulster University in Jordanstown, the girls will spend two weeks over the Easter period taking part in jam-packed cultural visit to China. The girls fly to Beijing on Saturday 13th April before travelling on to Shanghai. In Shanghai they will take in many of the sights, including the Shanghai Museum, the Bund District, ship cruising on the Huangpu River, the Shanghai Wild Animal Park before playing a challenge game against the local Shanghai GAA team.
The girls will then travel on the world-famous Bullet Train from Shanghai to Wuhan. They will spend two days in Wuhan when they will get the opportunity to visit the Yellow Crane Tower tourist attraction and spend some time shopping.
Huangshi is the next stop on their trip where they will spend time visiting Xiando Lake before being formally welcomed to the Hubei Normal University. During their four day stay at the Tonino Lamborghini Hotel in Huangshi the girls will visit the Hubei University to participate in several comprehensive Chinese classes and get to experience some ancient Chinese cultural activities. They will also spend some time site sightseeing and getting in some more retail therapy.
This is the second time in as many years that our Senior Ladies have had the opportunity to visit China courtesy of Confucius Institute and, if the last trip is anything to go by they will have a brilliant time this time around also.
The club would like to thank Yan, Michael and the rest of their colleagues at Confucius Institute for not only providing the girls with this tremendous opportunity but also for their continued and generous support of Ladies football at Shane O’Neill’s.
Yan, Michael and their colleague Judy visited the club during the week to provide the girls with the final run down of their itinerary, to answer any questions they or their parents had ahead of the trip and to encourage them to embrace the Chinese culture and all it entails during their latest adventure. They also presented the girls with new half-zips to commemorate their 2019 visit to China.
Well Done
Well done to Niamh Muckian and Kristen McKee who both play at half-time during the Armagh Senior Ladies game against Wexford on Sunday.
Best Wishes
Best wishes to our young U12 footballer Conor Devlin who fractured his arm on Monday during a game against Silverbridge. Get well soon Conor and we hope to see you back in a Shane’s jersey soon.
Club Membership for 2019
The membership rates for 2019 have been set as follows:
Full Adult membership: £50.00Juvenile membership: (U8’s – Minors): £30.00Family Membership (2 Adults & Children U16): £100.00Students & OAP’s: £40.00Cairde Members: £25.00U6’s: £10.00
Cúl Camp
This year’s Kellogg’s Cúl Camp will take place at the club from Monday 15th July - Friday 19th July. Online registration for the camp is now open and anyone planning to attend should register online asap using the following link – www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie
Kit Bags for Sale
The club still have a number of kit bags for sale at a price of £15.00 each (usually £25.00 each). They can be purchased in the club on Monday from 8.30pm on a first come, first served basis.
Lotto
Last week’s winning lotto numbers were 13, 14, 24 & 31. There were no jackpot winners and 1 x match three winner. The lotto jackpot is slowly but surely creeping up and now stands at £3,400.
