Sean Armstrong | Niall Bogue | Eoin Brosnan | Paddy Bradley | Sean Cavanagh Aidan Carr | Kevin Cassidy | Ronan Clarke | Bryan Cullen | Colm Cooper
Shane Curran | Brian Dooher | Kieran Donahy | Mattie Forde | Thomas Freeman
Raymond Gallagher | Paul Galvin | Leighton Glynn | Ciaran Hanratty
Stephen Kernan | James Masters | Andy McClean | Oisin McConville
Ciaran McDonald | Stephen McDonnell | Michael Meehan | Barry Monaghan
Finnian Moriarty | Adrian Morrissey | Conor Mortimer | Eoin Mulligan
Ross Munnelly | Nicholas Murphy | Eamon O'Hara | Stephen O'Neill
Tomas Ó Sé | Darragh Ó Sé | Declan O'Sullivan | Colm Parkinson | Tomás Quinn
Donal Shine | Ciaran Whelan | Fergal Doherty
The Roscommon and Kerry minors stole the show on All-Ireland football final day in September as they played out a gripping draw at Croke Park. David Shine emerged as the hero that day scoring six points as Roscommon clawed back a seemingly impossible deficit to force a replay.
Six days later in Ennis, Roscommon’s dead ball expert shone again with another six points as the Connacht side won their first All-Ireland Minor title since 1951. Roscommon won by 1-10 to 0-9 in the end but Kerry were always in touch until the closing minutes. It took three late points from Shine to ensure the win and earn him a much-deserved Man of the Match award.
Donal Shine’s performances in September confirmed him as one of the hottest prospects in the game, but the early signs were there. He impressed from a young age and won an U-14 Féile Peil na nÓg. Now, after his side stole the show on All-Ireland final day in Croke Park he is set to become Roscommon’s, and maybe Gaelic football’s, newest shining star.
Roscommon won the All-Ireland Minor title after two epic matches against
Kerry. It must have been a great feeling?
It was brilliant. They were two very tough games and we had to give it everything against a very good Kerry team. It was great for all the Roscommon fans who travelled to both games.
What has been your greatest moment in sport?
Winning the All-Ireland final replay in Ennis was amazing. I scored six points on the day and was picked as the Man of the Match.
Who are the toughest team you have ever faced?
It has to be Kerry, especially in the drawn game in Croke Park.
Who are the toughest opponents out there?
If I was to single one player out, it would have to be Kerry’s Tommy Walsh. He wears the number eight jersey for the Kingdom and he was outstanding in the first game at Croker.
Which player do you admire the most?
Colm Cooper is the most skillful player at the moment in football.
Who was your childhood hero?
I was a big fan of Derek Duggan, the Castlerea and Roscommon star. He was
one of the best free takers in the game and I learned a lot by watching his technique.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
I play my club football with Clann na nGael and St Brigid’s would be our nearest and biggest rivals.
Do you play any other sports?
I like to play some golf and soccer.
What’s the most important skill in the game, in your opinion?
I would have to say free taking as I take the frees for club and county. It’s important to have someone who can take frees on any team as it can be the winning and losing of a game. I also think that players should practise kicking with both feet.
What are your hopes for the future?
I’m still a minor next year so I hope we can do the best to defend our
title. I also hope to go on and represent my county at U-21 and Senior level in the coming years.
What advice would you give to young players?
Whatever sport you choose, try to be the best at it.
Name: Donal Shine
Age: 17
Team: Roscommon
Debut: 2006 v Fermanagh
Position: Left Half-Forward
Honours:
1 All-Ireland Minor title,
1 Connacht Minor title,
2 All-Ireland Vocational Schools titles,
3 Leinster Schools titles,
1 All-Ireland Féile title.
Club: Clann na nGael
Fav Food: Chicken and chips
Fav Book: Roy Keane’s autobiography
Fav Music: U2 and Oasis
Fav Film: Lord of the Rings
Fav TV: Malcolm in the Middle
Fav Team: Man Utd
Hobbies: Golf
Occupation: Student
CÚLFACT: Donal’s Dad, Donal Snr, managed his local club, Clann na nGael, to an amazing seven Connacht Senior Club titles in a row.
© December 2006 |
