Club History
The Shannon Gaels Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Club was founded in April 2002 in Queens, New York. The club is fittingly named after the Shannon River - which flows through the four provinces of Ireland - and represents the many Gaels that now reside in Queens, New York. Shannon Gaels is the only underage GAA club serving the children of Queens at all age levels and our club takes pride in providing the youth of our community with an invaluable opportunity to develop their athletic skills while learning the values of teamwork and sportsmanship. In its short history, Shannon Gaels GAA, has become one of the two largest juvenile clubs in the NY/tri-state area.
Shannon Gaels currently have teams of boys and girls spanning the Under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 21 age groups in Gaelic football, hurling and camogie and we have a very active under 6 beginners program. Shannon Gaels also have a very active cultural program and had over 56 youngsters compete in North America’s first ever Scor Na nOg in 2015.
In 2017, we fielded our first adult football team in the Junior B division. This team is almost entirely comprised of young men who grew up playing under-age football with our club.
We play under the rules of the Gaelic Athletic Association (www.gaa.ie). The New York Minor Board manages the Gaelic underage events in the tri-state area. There are currently 13 juvenile clubs participating in the NYMB league.
We have spring and fall competitive leagues and many tournaments and blitzes during the year.
Club Time-Line:
Spring, 2002 - Club formed
July, 2004 - First-ever CYC held at SUNY Purchase (Westchester) with a few SG players with St. Raymond's
November, 2009 - Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski offers Frank Golden Field for Shannon Gaels' use
Spring, 2010 - Permits obtained from NYC Parks and first practices and games played at Frank Golden Park in College Point, Queens
Spring, 2011 - First two club members selected for NY Boys Feile team (Conor Mathers & Danny Corridan)
April, 2014 - Signed long-term use agreement with NYC for Frank Golden Park in College Point, Queens
August, 2014 - U12s played in Go Games at Croke Park, Dublin at half-time of GAA football games
May, 2017 - First adult football team formed (Junior B division)
June, 2017 - First club manager for NY Feile Boys, Sean Price, and first Division I win by NY Feile Boys
June, 2019 - Girls Feile, managed by club member Stephanie Mathers, wins Division I
Club Chairs
Tom Kerins
Michael O Reilly
Richard Corridan
Collie Mathers
:Sean Price
Robert McDonagh
Niall Sugrue
Dinner Dance Honorees
2013: Guest of Honor: Cha Connaughton; Clubperson of the Year: Steven Foy
2014: Guests of Honor: Breffni & Marie Smith; Clubperson of the Year: Emer Quinlan Mooney
2015: Guests of Honor: Paraic & Vera Duffy; Clubperson of the Year: Mary Haran; Junior Hurler of the Year: Jody Hanley; Minor Player of the Year: Conor Mathers
2016: Guest of Honor: Noel Gaynor; Clubperson of the Year: Catherine Curtis Gargan; Junior Hurler of the Year: Maurice Holden, Minor Player of the Year: Tiarnan Mathers
2017: Guests of Honor: Liam & Aine O'Neill; Clubperson of the Year: Sean Price; Junior Hurler of the Year: Michael Greed, Junior Footballer of the Year: Danny Corridan, U21 Footballer of the Year: Fiachra McDonagh; Minor Player of the Year: Patrick Devlin
2018: Guest of Honor: Hon. Elizabeth Crowley; Clubpersons of the Year: Liam & Maggie Rooney; Hurling Award: Mike McKenna; Junior Footballer of the Year: Fiachra McDonagh; U21 Footballer of the Year: Eamonn Doran; Minor Player of the Year: Caolain Mathers
Benefits of GAA Sports
Gaelic football and hurling players develop playing skills and especially ball handling skills that give them a big advantage when playing soccer, basketball and American football.
We recommend this game highly to people of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. If you are interested in finding out more about it please contact our team coaches.
Our program provides young athletes with:
· An extensive physical fitness regimen
· Specific skills such as ball-handling, passing, kicking, as well as defensive and offensive strategies that focus on team work
and work rate
· General athletic skills such as running speed, quickness, and hand-eye coordination
· A strong appreciation of what it means to be part of a team, and how essential good teamwork is to the success of an
organization
· An equally strong understanding of the importance of adhering to GAA rules and displaying good sportsmanship at all times
· A coaching style and training environment that helps build self-confidence and encourages players to have fun
Keeping alive the tradition that began with the creation of the GAA in 1884, our club also serves as a social network that fosters strong family values and community spirit. During the year we have several fun events to bring members together, most notably our BBQs, Golf outing, Halloween and Christmas party. We warmly invite people of all backgrounds to join our club and experience the rich traditions of the GAA and Irish culture.
