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Stunning debuts earn a clean sweep

27 March 2000 - Never before have first game players so dominated the opening round of the Queensland Gaelic Football League as they did for the Shamrocks club over the weekend.

Adrian Darbellay from River Hills is the talk of the league after scoring 1 goal 8 points in his first game of Gaelic football, as Shamrocks beat Sarsfields by 15 points in the senior mens division.

Darbellay's potential to reach the very top of the sport was highlighted by his double scoring strike from 50 metre free kicks, which is a feat normally reserved for only the very best.

Brisbane's western suburbs club unearthed another top rookie with Dan Gould of Carina scoring 2 goals 1 point for the Shamrocks reserve mens team to beat Sarsfields by 7 points.

The opening weekend of the Gaelic Football league was a clean sweep for Shamrocks with the ladies team also overcoming Sarsfields.

Gaelic football continues this Sunday at Willawong, when Shamrocks play Easts in all three grades.

See full scores and ladders

"Greatest comebacks" proves Shamrocks athleticism

20 March 2000 - "One of the greatest comebacks in sports history" suggests Shamrocks have the athleticism to again excel in the Queensland Gaelic Football League that starts this Sunday.

Shamrocks won the first trophy on the Gaelic Football Association's calendar at Willawong over the weekend - the inaugural Demac Homes Inter-Club Perpetual Trophy for the St Patrick's Sports Day - with 114 points ahead of the second placed club on 92 points, after trailing hopelessly 4-68 leading into the senior events.

"One of the greatest comebacks in sports history," said the athletic events co-ordinator Paul Menary, when announcing the incredible win by the Brisbane western suburbs club.

Angie Doyle from Coorparoo, Forest Lake's Louise O'Neill and Brookfield's Jacqueline Peacock won the trifecta for Shamrocks in the ladies 100 metres to start the incredible surge. Other stars quickly emerged, including Dan Fraser from Eagleby, Dalby's Stuart Ingram, Adrian Darbellay from River Hills, and Corinda's Andrew Meiklejohn, as Shamrocks proved the year 2000 is full of promise.

With the fun and games of pre-season over, Shamrocks now start the Queensland Gaelic Football League at Willawong this Sunday playing Sarsfields in all grades.

Shamrocks are strongly supported by East Coast Gravel, One Red Dog, and Auroras.

New senior and junior players are still wanted, and should call 3374 3130 or e-mail shamrocks_club@hotmail.com

Singapore join Shamrocks schedule

10 March 2000 - Singapore could be included in the international itinerary of Brisbane's Shamrocks Gaelic Football Club as early as next year, after the Asian side was admitted to the Gaelic Athletic Association of Australasia this week.

Shamrocks' president Harold Peacock had talks with Singapore delegates in Adelaide while attending the annual congress of Gaelic Football's governing body for Australasia.

Both parties have agreed in principle to include matches against Singapore when the Brisbane western suburbs ladies and mens teams tour to Ireland in 2001.

Singapore are two-time Asian Gaelic Games mens football champions.

Meanwhile, Shamrocks start their 2000 Queensland Gaelic Football campaign on Sunday 26th March against the Sarsfields club in all three grades at Gaelic Park, Willawong.

New junior and senior players are still welcome, and should telephone 3374 3130 or e-mail shamrocks_club@hotmail.com

In the final pre-season action, Shamrocks junior and senior players and supporters test themselves at the annual St Patrick's Day Sports Carnival at Willawong on Sunday 19th March. Supporters are welcome.

Irish coach heads free coaching clinic

12 January 2000 - A leading Gaelic Football coach from Ireland will run a coaching clinic for Brisbane's Shamrocks Club at Willawong this weekend.

John Kelleher - head of Gaelic Football development at the University of Limerick for the last couple of years, and previously a coach with the Kerry County Board in Ireland - will conduct the introductory clinic after extended contact with Shamrocks over several months.

Kelleher is visiting Australia with the highest coaching credentials, including an All-Ireland University Championship, and more recently guiding the University of Limerick to its first county club championship in 20 years.

Last year he worked with County Cavan in the mens Gaelic Football Championship and National League, and is a former coach of the Cork and Kerry ladies football county teams.

"We will discuss and analyse the fundamental skills of Gaelic Football, and work towards enabling coaches to carry out an effective organised coaching session," Kelleher said.

The free clinic is the first event planned by the progressive Brisbane western suburbs Shamrocks Club in a year focusing on junior development.

The clinic is designed for mens and ladies players who may be interested in coaching in the future, or who simply want to learn introductory skills and drills in the unique Irish game.

The special clinic is this Saturday 15th January from 2pm, at Gaelic Park, Bowhill Road, Willawong.

Places must be booked in advance through the Shamrocks Club by e-mail at shamrocks_club@hotmail.com or telephone 3374 3130. Shamrocks have a website www.come.to/shamrocks

Gaelic Football junior coaching is planned for later in the year, and those schools, parents or juniors interested should contact the Shamrocks Club now

Last season Shamrocks set a new Queensland record by winning eight of the twelve trophies on offer, and had three players selected in the Australasian team to tour Ireland.

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