June 7th 1996 and the Shamrocks pictured in the gardens of
The Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge at the Leinster Football League Awards with the Treble Trophies
and L.F.L. Divisional Manager, Terry Farrell. The club was also honoured with a Special
Merit Award on the night in recognition of their achievements with such a small pool of players
and limited resources. It was a defining moment in the club's history.
The celebrations begin after Shamrocks had clinched the Double by beating Athy side,
Bridge United 4-2 after extra time to win the cup having won the championship a week earlier.
In one of the best finals ever seen in the counties, the Shamrocks had to dig deep to score two
goals in extra-time having surrendered a two goal lead at the death with Bridge united equalising
in the 3rd minute of injury time. It went down in history as a Mammoth performance by the Men
from the Island.
The beer is flowing and the hordes are in
good voice, as the Trophies are brought home to the Island in triumph after a remarkable fortnight
of finals which saw the Shamrocks finally fulfill the potential that had promised to deliver so
much.
The by now familiar tri-colour with the
shamrocks loyal band of followers at the Giffney Cup Semi-final in 1998 against Longford United.
The Rocks won 1-0 after a tough game to reach the final for the second year in sucession.
Colin Shortall and Ray Nolan, exhausted but exhilarated,
after beating Cill Beara Rovers 2-0 in the Shield Final on a hot Summer's evening to win the treble on May 25th 1996.
Noel Duffy (RIP), an ever present follower
and committee member who for obvious reasons became known as 'The man with the flag'. Tragically, Noel was to lose his life in
a motorbike accident a few weeks after this photograph was taken. The Shamrocks now hold an annual memorial tournament
in his honour.
I hope you have enjoyed this trip down memory lane.
MEMORY LANE 
