In 2009 Annacurra lost a great leader of the GAA and the community. Ciaran Shannon was a man who gave his all on the football field, one of the finest footballers Annacurra ever produced and a man who inspired his teammates into action. He died tragically on his way to represent Annacurra in a Division 1 League match against Blessington on the 27^th of June. He was aged 37 years and left behind his heartbroken wife Avril and his three little girls Ciara, Jade and Laci-Jane, his baby daughter Danielle was born later in the year.

Ciaran had an illustrious footballing career, in 1990 Annacurra reached the senior county final where they were defeated by the reigning All-Ireland Club champions Baltinglass. At eighteen years of age, Ciaran was the youngest member of this panel and learned his trade alongside some famous names who wore the Green and Gold. Unfortunately, Annacurra were defeated on this day and a county medal with Annacurra would elude Ciaran for the rest of his career.

In the mid 90’s Ciaran moved to Sligo and got involved playing with Coolera/ Strandhill, he was a driving force in their victorious Intermediate championship campaign in 1995. The club hold Ciaran in high esteem and have dedicated a seven a side competition which they will run annually to Ciaran’s memory as local teams will next year compete for the Ciaran Shannon Cup. In 1995 and 1996, he lined out for Sligo and was immense in their Connacht championship matches against Galway.

Ciaran returned home to play for Annacurra and also for Wicklow. In 1999, Ciaran was instrumental in Wicklow’s league and championship campaign. In the league, Wicklow narrowly missed out on promotion finishing fourth after a final day defeat to Kerry in Killarney. One of Ciaran’s greatest days in the blue jersey came during the league fixture with Westmeath. Ciaran put in a man of the match performance as he split the defence early on to set up an early goal and he later fired home a goal himself. Wicklow were drawn to play Meath in the Leinster Championship. While being named at wing forward, Ciaran was played around the centre field position as Wicklow struggled with Meath’s all-star team. Meath would run out winners this day and would later go on to win the All-Ireland.

He was appointed captain of Annacurra for the year 2000. His effect was immediate as a Division 3 Spring League was captured with a last gasp win over An Tochar. The following year was another final heartache for Annacurra as Ashford defeated Annacurra in the Intermediate final. It also relegated the team back to Junior A.

This was the last year Ciaran would play for Annacurra for some time as he emigrated to Canada with Avril and his young family, he wore the blue of the Toronto Gaels for five years and every year he was voted the clubs most valuable player. The club also regard him as the greatest player they had to never win a championship over there.In 2007 the Shannon family returned to Annacurra from Canada where Ciaran became heavily involved in the club and the parish.

2008 will be remembered for the final minute of the county final with Carnew. After 57 minutes of football that day and 20 years before it Ciaran came off the field to a rapturous applause as he had played a heroes part in giving Annacurra a two point lead. Unfortunately, Carnew were to strike late and snatch the title away from us which was very unjust on the Ciaran who was in the twilight of his career. Although, it was some consolation in winning the Division 2 league in December, a championship medal with Annacurra was what he really deserved.

Ciaran made a huge impact wherever he went but no more than in his beloved Annacurra where his passing has been devastating not only to his family but to his team-mates, many friends and the wider community.

A committee was set up in late 2009 to develop a walkway through the Roddenagh Woods in the village of Annacurra.It was unanimously decided that this walkway be named The Ciaran Shannon Walk, as a family and community man Ciaran would have been at the forefront of this key development, it will benefit our local community from both an educational and leisure perspective and something which on completion will be enjoyed by young and old alike for generations to come.

The proposed route is 3.5km long starting in the village of Annacurra, heading off in the direction of Aughrim and later circling back to Annacurra. The route proposed has been selected as it highlights the many key aspects of the wood from the flora, fauna, streams, old mass paths and river. It would also traverse an area of marshland via a board walk and promises to be a beautiful walk on completion. 

The committee have been overwhelmed by the support received so far, from the number of volunteers who have committed their help and time to those just interested in the project and supporting from afar.The fundraising began on St. Patrick’s Day with football and music, Ciaran’s two great passions, the match was between Married Men V Singles followed by an afternoon of live traditional music in The Saltee Pub by The Leinster Gaels joined by a number of local musicians.In April a group of five local lads from Annacurra ran the Connemara Marathon in Leenane, Noel Shannon, Michael Doyle, Mick Hanney, Sean O’Neill and Padraig Dalton – a day of beautiful sunshine which turned out to be the hottest of the year so far but they all finished and raised a considerable amount of money.

Not to be outdone by the lads in June there are over a dozen ladies taking part in the Flora Mini Marathon in Dublin and we wish them well.

July 3^rd and 4^th Annacurra will play host to footballers from Coolera/ Strandhill and Toronto Gaels along with former Wicklow County Stars who will be taking part in a seven aside competition being organised by Annacurra GAA Club for the Ciaran Shannon Cup, it promises to be great week-end and a fitting tribute to Ciaran on the anniversary of his passing.

There will be other events planned throughout the year – notes will be in the Wicklow People, you can also join our facebook page ‘The Ciaran Shannon’ walk for more details.

This article was written by Linda Hannay. It will also appear on the Wicklow county website Wicklowgaaonline.com. Annacurragaaclub.com would like to thank Linda and her committee for their contribuiton. I am unable to upload photos onto this article at the current moment in time but keep an eye on http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Co-Wicklow/The-Ciaran-Shannon-Walk/393306210140?ref=ts for photos and upcoming events