ESB GAA celebrates 50 years at Athlone 7's

ESB GAA celebrated its 50th anniversary at a presentation dinner which followed the recent 7-a-side matches in Athlone. The event took place in the Radisson SAS Hotel where the winning teams were presented with the ESB Cup and magnificent trophies by ESB President Paddy Stapleton.

ESB GAA Chairman, Colum Grogan was master of ceremonies and he gave a special welcome to guests of honour, Dublin Football legend, Kevin Heffernan and Sean Coughlan of Cork who is one of only two surviving founding members of the ESB GAA the other being Pakie Brennan, who was unable to travel.

Also present was former President of the GAA, Joe McDonagh, ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus as well as a host of former past players. NIE GFC were represented by their chairman Gerry McCaffrey and Secretary Francis McKillion.

In his address Padraig McManus paid tribute to the ESB GAA Club its competitions and all participants. He paid special thanks to the organising committee, Colum Grogan, John O’Riordan, Christy Goulding, Pat Maleady, Eddie Nally, Tony Heavin and Hugh Connaughton for making the occasion such an entertaining and enjoyable day and night event. He thanked the founder members the former players and organisers and wished the present club, its committee, players and all others involved a long and successful future.

ESB GAA will now play NIE GFC in Belfast on Saturday 25th. October where they hope to retain the Ted Dalton/Pat Sharvon Cup.

Dundalk - ESB GAA 7’s Football Champions 2008
Dundalk produced some fine football and outstanding scoring skills in their 7 aside victories in Athlone on Saturday, September 13th. They had convincing wins in their group matches against Limerick, ESBIG and ICT and pulled out all the stops to defeat defending champions Cavan in the semi-final.

The final against ESBIG, who defeated EirGrid in the semi-final after extra time, was an evenly balanced contest except for the speed and skill of Player of the Competition, Derek Mulligan of Dundalk, Mulligan bagged himself a goal in each half of the final, as well as a point and was a menace to all defenders throughout the competition. ESBIG also conceded a soft goal from a 65 and this extinguished any hope of a second half comeback. For Dundalk Liam Shankey scored two fine points and the evergreen John Sheridan along with Enda McKeown, Alan Page and goalkeeper Leslie Walsh defended tirelessly and counter attacked throughout.

ESBIG fought bravely all the way and were ably led by brilliant point scorer John O’Donoghue, Kieran Tubridy and Kieran O’Neill. The final score of 3gls and 6pts to ogls and 6pts did not reflect the closeness of this final.

Final Teams
Dundalk: Leslie Walsh, Alan Page, Derek Mulligan, Enda McKeown, Brian McGuinness, Anthony Ruane, Liam Shankey, John Sheridan, Malcolm McDonnell and Enda Nulty.

ESBIG: Stuart Scott, Damian Glennon, Kieran Tubridy, John O’Donoghue, Alan Burke, David Ryan, Colm O’Shea, Kieran O’Neill, Bernard Murray and Rory O’Donnell.

A special thanks must go to all teams who participated in what was a most enjoyable and successful event.

ESBI Ladies retain football title
This year saw the ladies footballers of, EirGrid, ESBI and ITS play out a Round Robin series, with ESBI and ITS contesting the final.

All three participating teams produced exciting matches in fair weather conditions.

The final was a mixed encounter in which the ESBI girls almost overcame an eight point deficit but eventually ITS held on to a scoreline of 2gls – 5pts to 1gl – 2pts. Niamh Murphy was a real dynamo at full forward for ITS as were midfielders Rose Griffin and Mairead Bracken as too did Shauna Brady and Laura Joyce. Rose Griffin was awarded the, Women’s Player of the Competition for her consistent performances throughout the day. Best for ESBI were Claire Mulholland, Sinead Treanor and Niamh Holmes and the evergreen Deirdre Newell.

Final Teams
ITS: Shauna Brady, Rose Griffin, Claire Doonan, Niamh Murphy, Laura Joyce, Aine Coughlan, Joanne Carton, Mairead Bracken, Avril Peavoy and Mary Corkery

ESBI: Deirdre Newell, Clare Mulholland, Sandra Howard, Orlamin Harvey, Sinead Treaner, Martina Kenny, Bernie Mullins, Niamh Holmes, Karen Halpenny and Edwina O’Callaghan.

Thanks to the Athlone GAA Club whose grounds, Pairc Ui Chiarán, were in immaculate condition as were their dressing rooms and indeed all their facilities. Special thanks also to the referees and the St. John’s Ambulance Service.