Remember the Team (3) ...
The Triple Crown Under-14 winners of 2005
Mullingar Shamrocks: Mark Connolly Ethan Scally, Scott Hogan, Robert Fenton; Alex Collins, Conor Gilsenan, Colm O'Leary; Enda Morris (Captain, 0-1), Kevin Tynan (2-0); Stephen Noonan (1-4), Stewart Flynn (1-4); David Gavin, Dean Moore (3-1), Aaron Andrews (0-1), Philip Bell. Substitutes Used: Brian McGowan, Seán Nestor, Enda McCague, Daragh Austin, Peter O'Brien. Other panellists: Daire Murray, Ciaran Glennon, Thomas Casey, Seán Ward, David Joyce.
Mentors: Johnny Corroon (manager), Peter Glennon, Terry O'Dowd, Jason Monaghan and Joe Murray.
Comment: 'Mullingar Shamrocks were at their brilliant best, and displayed a brand of football that showed a well-trained and well coached team that was a credit to their mentors'.
The Occasions: (A) Féile na nGael Final : Mullingar Shamrocks 7-11 Athlone 1-3 played on April 9 2005. Shamrocks defeated Maryland-Tang in the semi-final.
(B) On the weekend that Páidí Ó Sé's association with Westmeath came to an end, the All-Ireland Féile Peíl na nÓg Finals were held in Limerick on 1, 2, 3 July 2005. Mullingar Shamrocks hosted by the Dromcollagher-Broadford Club.
We played 4 matches in Division 3 before elimination at the semi-final stage. In the group matches, Mullingar Shamrocks defeated Dromcollagher -Broadford, Deel Rovers, and Rhode in a classic after being reduced to fourteen men twice as a result of dubious decisions. The first came in normal time when Ethan Scally was sent-off; in extra-time David Joyce got sidelined. In the semi-final played in Newcastlewest, St Joseph's Doora-Barefield proved to be too good for Shamrocks.
(C) Westmeath Under-14 County Final: Mullingar Shamrocks 3-7 Caulry 1-9 played in Tyrrellspass on Saturday 17 September.
Mullingar Shamrocks: Mark Connolly, Robert Fenton, Scott Hogan, Calvin Kirwan; David Joyce, Conor Gilsenan, Colm O'Leary; Enda Morris (Captain, 0-2), Kevin Tynan; Stephen Noonan (0-1), Stuart Flynn (1-0); David Gavin (0-2), Dean Moore (1-1), Aaron Andrews (1-1), Philip Bell. Substitutes Used: Etan Scally for Robert Fenton; Brian McGowan for Philip Bell.
Comment: From the Westmeath Examiner: 'Best for Shamrocks who scored all their 3-7 from play were Scott Hogan, Conor Gilsenan, Enda Morris, Kevin Tynan, the half forward line of Noonan, Flynn and the excellent [David] Gavin, whilst Dean Moore, a real gem of a player for his size and Aaron Andrews who did the business in the full forward line'.
This was a close encounter and it took a volleyed goal from Stuart Flynn and a point from Dean Moore in the final minute to seal the deal.
Worthy of Note: On the day of the final an Under-12 Blitz was held in Springfield in which Mullingar Shamrocks beat The Downs and St Loman's (aet) to win the competition. Playing for Shamrocks were such football luminaries as Patrick Fagan, Efe Siode, Sean Daly, Paddy Joyce, Neil Hannigan and Dylan McDermott. The senior footballers of the future played in Springfield in the Blitz and not in Tyrrellspass! David Gavin and Dean Moore are the only players from this group to win a county senior medals. David playing at centre-back in the 2012 final replay against Garrycastle and Dean Moore at full forward against St Loman's in 2018.
This was the weekend that Martin Coyne retired as Clubhouse Bar Manager after giving wonderful service to the club.
And Mick Price is still driving the bus; He was the pilot on the trip to Limerick and on the recent flight to Árd a Bothaire for Paidi's drinkathon tournament.
Significance: This Mullingar Shamrocks Under-14 Football team of future rock stars and professional rugby players was the last from the club to win all three Under-14 football titles available.
Still not too late for Scott Hogan, Enda Morris, Conor Gilsenan etc to return to the Gaelic football field?
