Naas take 2005 ESB football 7's title
ESB Naas gaelic footballers had a great win in the company's annual All-Ireland Football 7-a -side competition held in Pairc ui Chiarain Athlone on Saturday 17th September last.Naas defeated a fancied Dundalk side featuring Louth senior county footballer Alan Page in the final by a score line of one goal and seven points to five points. Player of the Competition Dermot King was outstanding for Naas and was well supported by his captain Barry Lawlor, Ciaran Heavey, Frank Finn and Stephen Fanning. Dundalk were well served by Alan Page, their captain Enda McKeown, Liam Shankey and Trevor Walsh.
On their paths to the final Dundalk defeated ESBI, Limerick, Networks Dublin and Ballina while Naas accounted for ITS, National Grid, Ballina and ESBIE. A special thanks must go to all teams who participated. ESBIE made their inaugural visit to this tournament and following a very shaky start with a loss to Dundalk they managed to progress to the Semi-Finals of the Competition with only 7 players for the whole tournament.
Full credit must be given to Athlone GAA Club for the immaculate condition of their pitches, dressing rooms and their overall facilities. At a presentation dinner later that evening in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone, the winning teams were presented with the ESB Cup and magnificent trophies by former Offaly great, Sean Lowry ESB HR Manager Midland Stations and ESB GAA Secretary, Colum Grogan. ESB GAA President Paddy Stapleton was unable to attend. Freida Murray Manager ESB Equal Opportunities presented Dermot King (Naas) with the Player of the Competition Award. Sean Lowry paid tribute to all participants and paid special thanks to the organising committee, Colum Grogan, John O'Riordan, Hugh Connaughton, Christy Goulding, Pat Maleady and Tony Heavin for making the occasion such an entertaining and enjoyable day and night event. He also expressed his gratitude to ESB Corporate Centre as without their sponsorship this annual event could not happen. Both Winning Sevens will go forward to meet their Northern Ireland counterparts NIE Powerteam for the Annual Cross-Border Football Match . This year the event is to be held in St Judes GAA Club, Tymon Park North, Templeogue D6W @3.00pm on 8th October.
Teams:
Naas: Mick Nolan, Ciaran Heavey, Dermot King, Barry Lawlor, Frank Finn, Dave Murphy, Ciaran Murphy, Pat Fleming, Stephen Fanning and Des Fanning. Managers- Christy Burke, Mick O'Sullivan, Joe Oakley and Tom Cunningham.
Dundalk: Enda McKeown, Anthony Ruanne, Malcolm McDonnell, Liam Shanky, Brian McGuinness, John Roche,Christy Carroon, Gerard Kereley, Alan Page and Trevor Walsh Manager - Niall Whitmarsh
