'They completely lifted everyone': Hurlers bring Limerick SHC cup to month's mind

PLAYERS from Doon's championship-winning hurling team set aside their moment of triumph to visit the grieving family of a popular young mother on her month’s mind. 

The historic county final win over Na Piarsaigh made grown men and women cry and brought joy to sons and daughters of Doon across the globe from Melbourne to New York. Ballygunner of Waterford brought their Munster journey to an end last Sunday but the memories of the week prior will last a lifetime with one gesture never to be forgotten.

Amanda Shanahan Horgan (pictured below with daughter Amy), of Toomaline Lower, Doon, went to her God in UHL in September after an illness bravely borne. She was just 44-years-old.

She is sadly missed by her loving family and especially her bereft husband Niall, adored 12-year-old daughter Amy and parents Joe and Freda.

Amanda’s month’s mind Mass took place on Friday night. Among the large crowd was Doon’s Adam English, Richie English, Barry Murphy and Pat Ryan ‘Simon’, who brought the John Daly Cup, after the club claimed the title for the first time ever.

Joe Shanahan, one of Amanda’s brothers, said the four legends called down to the homeplace after training to meet everyone after the month’s mind. 

“They put a smile on everyone's face,” said Joe, who on behalf of the Shanahan / Horgan families wished to thank Adam, Richie, Barry and Pat.

Barry said the Shanahan family has been an integral part of the sporting community in Doon, touching every aspect from GAA to soccer and athletics. 

“Jody, Kevin, and Joe have been deeply involved in sports with us from a young age, each leaving a lasting impact. Joe was our strength and conditioning coach in 2018, a milestone year when we reached our first county final in 18 years. Both the Shanahan and Horgan families hold a place of great respect within the GAA, and it felt only right that we could do this one small gesture in honour of their families,” said Barry.

The converted centre back said the past week has been truly remarkable.​​ ​​

“The sight of our life president, Johnny Butler, raising the cup embodies the immense joy that has enveloped Doon recently.​​ ​​Although the defeat to Ballygunner was disappointing, both the club and the team are immensely proud of our accomplishments this year.​​​​”

A touching photo shows Amanda’s smiling daughter Amy holding the cup in between Adam and Pat. The four hurlers know Amanda’s dad Joe well as he coached a lot of the players to a premier league win in soccer when they were 12/13.

Amanda was a quiet person who believed in letting her actions speak louder but she left a lasting impact on any person lucky enough to make her acquaintance. This was demonstrated at her funeral with the enormous numbers in attendance - the largest in living memory in Doon.

The presence of Adam, Richie, Barry and Pat, during one of the most hectic weeks of their lives, spoke volumes. 

“They completely lifted everyone. It meant an awful lot to us that they would take the time and bring the cup,” said Joe. Adam even got to meet a greyhound named The Great Adam owned by Joe Snr (pictured below).

On November 1, All Souls’ Day, Doon GAA Club remembered the generations of club members who have passed.

“Our small but mighty club has waited 129 years to lift our first Limerick senior hurling county final cup and we finally did it! This victory is dedicated not only to the players, coaches, and supporters of today but to all those who came before us, whose dedication laid the foundations for our success.

“Today, we honour their legacy, remembering every club member who wore our jersey with pride, cheered from the sidelines, and worked tirelessly to build our club and community. Their memory lives on in each puck, each cheer, and each blade of grass on our pitch.

“May they forever rest in peace, knowing that their spirit and love for the game will always be a part of us,” read a post on the club's Facebook page.

READ MORE: ‘Business as usual soon' hopes owner of fire-damaged Limerick bar and bistro

In recent years Amanda came out of sporting retirement and joined the Oola Mothers and Others Gaelic Football team. 

In 2022, Amanda and the team played at Croke Park in a very proud day for the team and their supporters.

Doon won’t be playing in Croke Park after the defeat to Ballygunner on Sunday but they proved to the Shanahan / Horgan families what true champions they are on Friday night.