Late surge sees seniors through

The senior had a great win in the Championship on Sunday evening last when they came back from the dead to overturn a three point deficit and come back to beat their old nemesis Castledaly. They really have been a bogey team for Shamrocks over the last number of years and the fact that Shamrocks have shaken that hoodoo is a major boost in the team's quest to return the Flanagan Cup to Springfield. This was a game where Shamrocks dominated from the outset but could not find their scoring range but let the opposition right back into it and led for most of the game and Shamrocks had to chase .In the second half it was much the same with Shamrocks having oodles of possession but not able to find their range and Castledaly led as the game entered the last quarter but cometh the hour cometh the man and the ace goal poacher himself, Cian O'Leary latched onto a fine through ball from Fiachra Spellman and in the wink of an eye the ball was nestling in the back of the net and Shamrocks had managed to pull the result out of the fire at the death. This certainly was not a vintage performance but a workmanlike display nonetheless and one that will please manager Paul Ahearne. Michael Curley was again outstanding in defence and his return has shown how much Shamrocks missed him last year. His positional sense and reading of the game was exemplary and he more than anyone was the catalyst for this victory. O'Leary again proved why he is the best finisher in teh business and Clinton and Doyle at midfield were winning oodles of ball for the forwards but Shamrocks will need to be more ruthless in front of goal and their scoring to attack ratio certainly needs improvement but as of now they are in pole position in the group and looking at least a quarter final spot.Under 14The 14s had a comfortable win against Athlone in the Championship in Springfield on Saturday last and fielding without several regulars they really went goal crazy in the second half with Darren Keena getting 2 and Dean Scally getting 3 as they played the kind of football that they are capable of. At the back Nathan Smith was superb at full back while Conor O'Brien adapted well to his new position at centre back. Pick of the defence though was Ryan Blundell who rose to the challenge of playing out of his normal comfort zone and had a terrific game in attack and defence. Ricky McCarthy and Sean Lee were solid as rocks in midfield with McCarthy chipping in with 2 great goals. Paddy Fagan made a welcome return at centre forward while Jordan Ward was his usual steady self and Darren Carter and Dylan Cannon were other scorers in a game where Shamrocks had to battle. Pride of place though must go to Stephen Hassett who kicked a lovely point after coming on as a sub and it was just rewards for his never say die spirit and uncomplaining style .Al in all a good win for the boys and they are shaping up nicely as the knockout stages approach.LadiesFirst of all well done to Karen Hegarty and team captain Aoife O'Brien who were part of the Westmeath under 16 team that won the Leinster recently against Louth and to Shauna Butterly who was part of the county minor squad who went down narrowly to Tipperary recently.Our senior team however are keeping the dream alive to finally annex the Intermediate Championship as they had a marvellous and hard fought victory against Kilbeggan in the opening round. With a very young side Shamrocks are surely due a small bit of luck this year and the girls are putting in a huge effort to bring that title once and for all to the club. The only downside of teh win was the fact that it was not played on home turf in Springfield because the senior men's team were training on the same night and despite several attempts to accommodate the game it was switched to teh Harbour field. The Ladies were naturally upset and felt that a training session took precedence over an important championship game and they rightly feel aggrieved that the effort they put into wearing the green jersey was dismissed. There seems no right or wrong in this situation but the club as a whole must realise that the many facets of its makeup have equal importance and that all must play their part in ensuring harmony and cooperation. Anyway sermon over and let us move on together