Lotto

No winner of the jackpot this week with the numbers drawn 6, 12, 19 & 22 so next weeks jackpot is  €10,300. Congratulations to €100 winner Kevin Downes.

Please note the Shandonagh lotto has now gone online and you can play at https://www.klubfunder.com/Clubs/Shandonagh_GAA/lotto
Annual Golf Classic
The annual Shandonagh GAA Golf Classic is taking place this year on Friday 21st June in Mullingar Golf Club. For further info or to book a tee time please contact Kieran @ 087 9612091, Niall @ 086 1770955 or Ally 085 8738704. Detailed information on prizes to follow.

U10 Boys

Bank holiday Monday 3rd June the Shandonagh U10 boys competed in the Joe Matthews Memorial Cup tournament in St. Lomans. Following a narrow defeat to the overall winners The Downs in their first game, the young Shandonagh men showed fantastic spirit and determination to win their remaining games against Mullingar Shamrocks and Ballycomoyle before finally meeting St. Lomans in the shield final.
This was a tight final but Shandonagh worked very hard in the 1st half against a strong wind and they brought a narrow lead into the 2nd half. Shandonagh used the strong wind to their advantage in the second half to overcome a determined St. Lomans.
Special mention to Stephen McWade who was voted player of the tournament by his team mates and lifted the trophy as a result. Also get well soon to Tomás Brennan who is recovering from a fractured elbow but supported the boys throughout.
Thanks to all who participated and supported us on the day and to St. Lomans for organising this great tournament.

U10 Girls

Last Saturday morning the U10 girls produced another fantastic performance taking part in a blitz hosted by St Lomans. By fielding two teams all girls got plenty of game time and displaying great skill and teamwork. All coaches & parents were super proud of these ladies.

U8 Boys

Saturday morning 8th June saw the Under 8 boys travel to The Downs to play 2 matches in the Westmeath U8 Go Games. Shandonagh travelled with 26 hardy footballers resulting in 3 teams taking the field. These boys are producing more of the football they are capable of with every match and training session they are putting in. Thanks to The Downs GAA Club for a well organised and enjoyable morning.

Cúl Camps

Shandonagh GAA Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camp is coming between July 29th and August 2nd this year.. it's more about fun and participation and something that the kids enjoy immensely. Register at https://www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie/booking/?county=Westmeath&venue=3264&week=6

Acknowledgements

Special mention this week to the Shandonagh pitch committee who are maintaining the grounds. The work they put in to mark the pitch, maintain the scoreboard, flags and gate access is hugely appreciated and makes it all the more enjoyable to drive into the Shandonagh grounds. It's work behind the scenes we don't see but the results of the work are very evident and obvious for all to enjoy.

Special mention and thanks also to our ladies team who have raised €2000 over the last few weeks for our club. No club will reach the success it strives for without the existence and support of a ladies teams and and we thank you very much.

ACFL Div 1 Shandonagh vs Athlone

Shandonagh retained their division 1 status after a hard fought battle with Athlone on Sunday morning last. This was a must win match for Athlone who were in the relegation zone on the division 1 table and a win for the travelling team would have resulted in Shandonagh going back down to division 2 having been promoted less than 12 months ago.

A beautiful sunny morning with the Shandonagh pitch looking glorious with the work our pitch committee are doing had us all looking forward to this match. Rain showers just before kick off however ensured a slippy start to the game and we were hoping they were not a bad omen.

Athlone started the match much stronger than Shandonagh and it could be said we were all a bit shell shocked by the Athlone movement, pace of some of their forwards and their running lines. It took until the 16th minute and Athlone to be up by 1:03 for Shandonagh to get on the score sheet when Kevin Boyle scored from play. Brian Kavanagh scored a free next for Shandonagh when Mickey Boyle was fowled. Philip Smith then scored one of the best points of the game when he caught an Athlone kick out, powered up the field and drove the ball over the bar. Cormac Coyne then turned it on when he caught a ball on the right hand side of the goal, turned around his helpless marker and blasted the ball into the top left corner of the goals.

We are 20 minutes in and Shandonagh backs are starting to get a grip with the Athone running formations and finally Shandonagh are in the game. Whats noticeable also is the encouragement emanating from the side line as we were all panicking a bit too much. Giving Athlone credit we were all taken by surprise at their blistering start. The Shandonagh sideline could also take note that rarely if ever has a referee changed his mind over his decisions and we were losing focus of where we should be directing our vocals.

On the 28th minute Kevin Boyle showed for the inside ball, was fowled and Brian Kavanagh converted the resulting free. Shandonagh are building from the back with quality ball going into the forwards at this stage. Mickey Boyle came agonisingly close to snatching another goal when a Cormac Coyne hand pass over the top took on a little bit too much pace and rolled out over the end line. Brian Kavanagh pointed another free after Jenson Nagle was fowled when making a foray in towards the Athlone goal. Shandonagh were working much harder now epitomised by Cormac Coyne running all the way back to block a kick on his own 21 meter line. The last score of the first half as a fantastic point from play by Ciaran Shanley who curled the ball over the bar from a very narrow angle left of goals.

Half time score was Shandonagh 1-07, Athlone 1-03

Athlone started the second half as they started the first by scoring a goal and point in the first few minutes. The goal was particularly deflating as it came right after Shandonagh possibly should have netted themselves up the far end of the pitch. Shortly afterwards Athlone were unlucky when another of their attacks just went wide of the Shandonagh goals. Conor McCrossan was first on the second half score sheet for Shandonagh by pointing from play.

Then disaster struck as Athlone scored another goal which came off a high ball in towards  the box that deceived the Shandonagh goalie and an Athlone hand just managed to get a flick onto the ball into the net. This was the type of goal that can turn a match but in fairness to Shandonagh they just knuckled down and got on with the task at hand.

Next score came after Alan Hickey glided up the middle of the field passing onto Alan Hughes who pointed from play. The Shandonagh forwards then pounced on an opportunity to dispossess the Athone keepers just outside the 21 meter line with Mickey Boyle getting possession and bearing down on goals. Athlone had no option but to bring him down and Brian Kavanagh pointed the free.

Fifteen minutes into the second half and we had a very intense game with the pressure very tangible on the field and also felt by the supporters. Shandonagh were not gelling together yet while Athlone were tacking on scores

Brian Kavanagh scored another point from a free after Cormac Coyne was fowled just outside the box after he reacted fastest to a rebounding ball off the post. Jeremiah Scully came onto the pitch after 23 minutes and his first contribution was a very well taken point from play off his left foot. A few minutes later David Duffy caught a Shandonagh kick out and his inside ball was sent straight to Kevin Boyle who drove the ball over the bar for a great point.

With five minutes left Shandonagh were down by 3 points and we were being treated to end-to-end football. Next Shandonagh score same after Mickey Boyle worked hard to bring the ball in from the right hand sideline and passed to Cormac Coyne who put it over the bar.

Conor McCrossan then made another great run up the field offloading to Ciaran Shanley who pointed. Brian Kavanagh was then handed a difficult free 27 meters out but only 7 or 8 meters in from right sideline. The ball went left but Ciaran Shanley managed to keep it in and Shandonagh were rewarded with a free when Athlone put boot in while a Shandonagh man bravely went down to pick up ball the ball. Brian Kavanagh scored this resulting 13 meter free.

David Scahill then came on for a tired Mickey Boyle who had worked his socks off today. We were treated to a hell of a finish to the game as Athlone went back down the pitch and scored to lead by a single point with only a minute left on the clock. Shandonagh rallied working the ball up the field and Conor McCrossan showed great composure to kick the point from play from right of goals outside the 21.

Their is possibly a few reasons why a defibrillator is located in the Shandonagh GAA grounds and matches like this could be one of them. The roar of relief that went up from the home supporters when the final whistle sounded was immense. The draw was enough to see Shandonagh safe in division 1 for 2020. Fair play to the Shandonagh senior team on this performance as it was not easy at all.

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