Great celebration of GAA milestone

Sunday, May 10 will be remembered in the annals of the G.A.A. as the day when the games were handed back to where they first began, in the clubs. It was a celebration of all that was good in the association and why it is such a part of our culture and being. We in Shamrocks like clubs up and down the country celebrated with a day of fun and participation with some 100 boys and girls playing blitzes and exhibition games for the huge throngs who came to Springfield.It was followed by a mixed Senior game where the ladies more than held their own against their male counterparts in what was possibly the most enjoyable game in Springfield in many a long year and if Paul Ahearne is looking for a goalie then he could do worse than ladies "keeper Gemma Leahy who was absolutely fantastic between the sticks and even denied inter county stars with some fabulous saves. Referee Des Maguire turned back the years when he took up the whistle and did a marvellous job.When the dust had settled on the day one could only look back and admire the force that is the GAA and the club of Mullingar Shamrocks. Like every other local parish club or big city megaclub it is part of the greatest association that this country has and a testament to the amateur ethos of the devoted volunteer and the willing player.The GAA is more than just the games; it is its sense of togetherness and community and the willingness of people to give up their time freely to keep our national games going. It is the children who whoop with delight when scoring a point or sharing the feeling with a team mate or comrade and then shaking hands when the game is over. It is about creating friends and lifelong comrades and learning to share the good times with the bad. It is about instilling discipline and a grounding for the challenges that life may throw at you and it is all done on a voluntary basis by people whose only reward is the knowledge of a job well done. Take a bow Cumann Luthcleas Gael and may the next 125 years be as fruitful and eventful as the last.A footnote to the celebrations at the weekend was a surprise party on Saturday night for Eamonn "Killer" Byrne. Billed as a club reunion night this was just a ruse to get the Killer down to Springfield where friends and comrades spoke in glowing terms about a man who is a Shamrocks legend. Mattie Kerrigan and Luke Dempsey were just two of the guest speakers on the night and they regaled us with some of the stories relating to one of Shamrocks and Westmeath"s finest. Congratulations Killer and hopefully well still see you shouting on the green and white for many a long day yet. Many thanks to all concerned for a great night and especially to Eamonn McGowan and the ladies for the sustenanceWebsiteA final word to anyone who is interested in club matters is that the club notes can be viewed on the club website at mullingarshamrocks@hotmail.com as notes have not appeared in recent weeks in the papers due to time and space constrictions and if anyone has anything to report they should contact the PRO.