Shamrocks News

Step closer to another final

David Bree scores on debut for Shamrocks over the weekend

30 June 2003 - Shamrocks beat John Mitchels in the Queensland Gaelic Football League at Willawong over the weekend, giving themselves a chance to play in the senior mens GAA Trophy final.

Brisbane�s western suburbs team beat John Mitchels for only the second time in their last nine encounters, winning 4-3-15 to 1-7-10.

The Brisbane Shield champions must now beat league-leaders Sarsfield this week to have a chance to play in their second final of the season.

David Bree, from Kerry in Ireland, (pictured) debuted for Shamrocks against John Mitchels with a best on ground performance at full forward. He kicked 2 goals 1 point with one of the goals coming after a skilful run around opponents along the end line.

Shane Gormley of Sligo, Ireland, was again outstanding at full back, and even ran forward to score a point of his own.

Local product Stuart Meiklejohn from Chapel Hill again played an outstanding game, while Jindalee�s Travis Bassett maintained his scoring form with 1-1.

Long term Shamrocks player Raymond Concar made his first appearance of the season, kicking a crucial goal, as Shamrocks held on to beat a determined John Mitchels team that battled back well in the second half.

Shamrocks play Sarsfields this weekend, with a win essential to remain in the chase for the final of the Gaelic Athletic Association Trophy.

They have a 1-3 win-loss record against Sarsfields over their last four encounters, including a two-point overtime loss in last year�s Championship semi final.

A closely contested match again appears likely, with five of the last 11 matches between the two sides having been decided by two points or less.

Neither Shamrocks nor Sarsfields have ever won the GAA Trophy, and Sarsfields have not won a senior trophy since 1991.

In the reserves match, Shamrocks lost to leaders Easts Celts, with best players being Josh Lowe from Oxley, Wayne Heley of Middle Park, and Westlake�s Mick Joyce.

Martin Henry's records

Martin Henry sets two new club records over the weekend

23 June 2003 - Martin Henry has indelibly signed the record books with a scoring blitzkrieg over the weekend, eclipsing some of the biggest names in recent history of the Shamrocks Gaelic football club.

Henry, whose family is famous in the Irish county of Meath for its Gaelic football exploits, scored 3 goals 8 points as Shamrocks beat East Celts for the eighth consecutive time, and their second straight win in the Queensland League.

His 17-point personal total beat the club record of 15 set by the legendary Eoin Mulligan three years ago in the Shamrocks� 2000 Championship-winning season.

Mulligan, regarded by many as the best ever to play in Queensland, had previously won an under 21 All-Ireland Championship, and upon his return to Ireland graduated to the powerful County Tyrone senior team.

Henry�s score also moved him past the record season total set by Eoin�s brother Stephen Mulligan also in 2000. Henry now has 9-46 from 11 senior matches.

Shamrocks won the game 6-16-34 to 0-2-2. The 16 points kicked was just one less than the oldest team mark set five years ago in 1998 against Sarsfields.

Almost fading into the background was the outstanding debut for Shamrocks of Shane Gormley from Sligo in Ireland, earning him best on ground votes, ahead of Henry.

The last man from Sligo to play with Shamrocks was Gerry Carty in 2000 � co-incidentally also in the most recent senior Championship-winning season.

David O�Malley was next best for the western suburbs club over the weekend in a good team effort.