Senior Ladies Bow Out Off All-Ireland
Our senior ladies bowed out off the All-Ireland in Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon, losing by five points to Dunedin Connolly's, 7 - 16 to 8 - 8.
The game itself was played in very windy conditions and on a very poor pitch which was marked out in red lines over the top of an already marked out soccer/rugby field.
The Shanes won the toss and decided to play against the wind in the opening half but it was the home side who hit the front early on with the opening goal of the game only for Aimee Mackin to respond in kind for the Shanes. The Edinburgh side were making the most of the strong wind and they scored a further three goals and two points before Aimee Mackin pointed a free for the Shanes. The Connolly's added a further two points before team captain Louise Kenny powered forward to set up Blaithin Mackin for her side's second goal of the game to leave nine between them. The Shanes were finding the going tough and scores hard to come by and it was the Edinburgh side who tagged on a further four points with Aimee Mackin replying for the Shanes with another well taken free. The Edinburgh side continued to play the better football and take their scores when chances came their way and in a short spell of time they added a further two goals and two points to their tally to give them a commanding twenty point advantage. However the Shanes kept plugging away and scored a quick fire goal and point to keep them in the hunt, Aimee Mackin getting the goal with her sister Blaithin getting the point. The Shanes were having a great spell in the game at this stage and they were unlucky not to add a further three goals to their tally as two shots rebounded of the bar and further one cleared off the line. The sides swapped points in the closing stages of the first-half with Aimee Mackin once more for the Shanes as they went in at half-time sixteen points in arrears.
The home side got the opening point of the second period before Blaithin Mackin got her side's fourth goal of the game with a brilliant finish to the net. However, the Connolly's hit back straight away with a goal and two points but the Shanes responded again with Aimee Mackin netting a great goal and Moya Feehan firing over a superb point. The Edinburgh girls got a further two points to lead by seventeen but these points proved to be their final scores of the game as the Shanes mounted an incredible comeback mission in the final fifteen minutes of the contest. Aimee Mackin scored a great point from a free before the same player profited from good work by Aoibheann Jones to score her side's sixth goal of the game. The Shanes were on the front foot at this stage and cheered on by a sizeable support from home and Edinburgh they scored two quick points with Aimee Mackin and Moya Feehan on target. The Shanes were eleven points in arrears at this stage but this was soon down to eight when Aoibheann Jones pounced to score the Shanes seventh goal and set up a nail-biting final few minutes. The Camlough girls were now in full flow and putting their bigger, more physical opponents under immense pressure and this grew even greater when Aimee Mackin netted again late on to leave just five between the sides but unfortunately for the Shanes this was a close as it got as the referee blew the final whistle soon after to leave the final score 7 - 16 to 8 - 8 in favour of Dunedin Connolly's.
The Shanes panel and scorers on the day were: Alice Tavey, Chloe McCrave, Marieanne Marron, Emma Kenny, Ebony Rafferty, Louise Kenny(Capt), Cliodhna Sloan, Tara Byrne, Meghan McGuire, Jessica Watters, Moya Feehan (0-2), Blaithin Mackin (2-1), Ellen Hannaway, Aimee Mackin (5-5), Aoibheann Jones (1-0), Nicola McFadden, Leanne Lennon, Siofra Doyle, Hannah McMenamin, Caroline McMenamin, Ellen Loughran, Lauren Diamond, Ciara Jones and Claire Garvey.
Despite the disappointing the result the Shanes girls can take great pride from their performances this year which saw them claim the Armagh and Ulster titles and on behalf of everyone at the club I would to take this opportunity to congratulate all them and their management team of Ryan McConville and Peter Lynch for the tremendous success they have brought to the club.
All the supporters who travelled to Edinburgh had a great week-end from start to finish and big word of thanks to Violet Kenny and Majella Loughran who helped to organise the trip.

Underage Football - Proudly Sponsored by Gortrush Foods

Minor Girls
Having clinched the county minor title earlier in the year our minor girls now take part in the Ulster championship, with their first game, which is a quarter-final, due to take place next Sunday. They are scheduled to play Lurgan, the Cavan champions, in Virginia next Sunday at 2.00pm.

U14 Girls
Winter Indoor training continues for next years U14 team each Tuesday from 6.30 to 7.45 in Bessbrook Community Centre. We are keen to hear from more girls who are interested in playing football with Shane O'Neill's. Girls born between 2000-2001 will be eligible for U-14 in 2014 while girls born 2002 or later can play U-12 in 2014. In 2013 both teams did very well and the U-14s also enjoyed a weekend away at Feile Peil in Derry. Don't worry if you never played before as there will be lots of coaching sessions before the 2014 season starts with loads of time and help to improve your skills. For further information please contact Paul McArdle on (086) 8372082 or Paci Maginness on 077717732086.

U10s
Training for our U10 footballers continues this Friday night from 7.30pm - 8.30pm in Cloughreagh Community Centre. All boys and girls at this age group are asked to attend including any new boys and girls who want to play Gaelic football.

U8s
Training for our U8 footballers (Primary 3s and Primary 4s) continues this Friday night from 6.30pm - 7.30pm in Cloughreagh Community Centre. All boys and girls at this age group are asked to attend including any new boys and girls who want to play Gaelic football.

U6s
Training for our U6s will resume this Wednesday, 30th October at the usual time in Bessbrook Community Centre. All boys and girls at this age group are welcome to attend.

Mouthguards
As you may be aware from January 1st 2014, all girls and boys playing or training for Gaelic Football must wear a mouthguard. A properly fitted mouthguard is the best available protective device for reducing the incidence and severity of sports-related dental injuries and girls or boys will not be allowed participate in any GAA activities without the mouthguard. There are a range of mouthguards available from stock mouthguards costing £5 to custom-made mouthguards from dentists, normally up to £50. More information is available on GAA.ie

Armagh Ladies Presentation Night
The Armagh Ladies Board presentation night takes place in the Carrickdale Hotel on Saturday 30th November. Tickets are £15 each. Medals and trophies for winning the U14 League and Championship will be presented on the night however individual medals will not be presented until Shane's juvenile presentation night before Christmas. The girls are not obliged to go to the Carrickdale night however we would like as many as possible to go and represent the U14 and U12 teams. Shane O'Neill's will also be presented with the Minor and Junior Championships on the night. Please let Peter Lynch 07876453546 or Paul McArdle 086-8372082 know if you want to order a ticket.

Well Done
Well done this week to our ladies footballer Moya Feehan who was named as the Gaelic Life's player of the week last week.

Lotto Numbers
Last week's winning lotto numbers were 3, 14, 25 & 26. There were no jackpot winners and one x match 3 winner. The jackpot now stands at £3400.

And Finally…
Who was the club member who travelled to Edinburgh at the week-end and fancied playing a game of pool on the boat only to be told "do you really think there would be a pool table on a boat". Good one Joe Lennon. Tweet

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