The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Derrick Lynch
The stars of the future for Shannon Town will make history this weekend as they become the first group from the club to contest the SFAI U-16 National Cup semi-final.
The squad are the first from Clare to reach this stage in over 25 years, and booked their spot with a fine win in Mayo last weekend with Charlie Morrisson getting both goals in that victory.
Cork outfit Carrigaline are the visitors to Shannon this Saturday afternoon for a 2pm kickoff and Shannon Town coach Stephen Dolan says it is an exciting prospect for everyone involved.
“This is one of the biggest games in the history of underage soccer in Shannon Town. We are the first team from the club to get this far in the competition so it is great to be there. We made history last weekend in winning that game so we are hoping to make more this weekend and get to the final. It is just one more step so hopefully we can take it. The lads are over the moon so the mood in the camp is great at the moment. I think the challenge is going to be just bringing them back down to earth for Saturday and making sure they are focused on what they have to do” he outlined.
Like all sporting action, the outbreak of Covid-19 last Spring meant that the season was disrupted for Shannon Town. Dolan is confident they are now ready to continue their positive run.
“The season has been a bit up and down and we were waiting nearly three months for last week’s game to come around so that felt like it was taking forever. The lads performed really well last week so we could not ask for anymore from them. Carrigaline have a few players on Munster squads and they are strong in all areas of the field. It should be a really good game and it is great to have it at home so hopefully we will get plenty support to try and get over the line” he said.
