Back in the day, if you found yourself tasked with marking one of the formidable Ward brothers on the field, your hands were undoubtedly kept full from the very first whistle!
We're thrilled to have Shane and Conor participating in "100 To Home" for their beloved home club. Despite not residing locally, their profound connection to Naomh Ultan speaks volumes, as they were "voluntold" to be part of this fundraising cycle and in fairness duly obliged!
All three of the brothers grew up in Castleview, the epicentre of Dunkineely at the time, an estate that nurtured numerous promising footballers. All talented soccer players with Shane and Conor especially having great successes in the sport, the club were grateful to have them in their ranks from a young age.
Their brother Garvan and Conor, who at the time was only 15 represented the first reserve team of the club in 1994, the team narrowly lost out in the Intermediate B Championship final in their inaugural season. Conor went on to play U16 and minor for Donegal and despite his relatively smaller stature, he compensated with remarkable ability and determination.
Shane found himself in the senior ranks and it wasn't long until Conor joined him. The two were on hand to play a part in the senior side's league success in 1997, the same year Páirc Naomh Ultan officially opened. They suffered disappointment in 1998 however, both starting in the forward line of the team beat in the Intermediate A Championship final, the same day the reserves lost in the Intermediate B final.
They continued to be ever present in the team and their dedication paid off in 2002 when Shane & Conor and the team captured the Intermediate Championship, a historic day for the club as the reserves won the Intermediate B too. The Wards persisted in their playing careers well into the 2000s. Shane ventured away from his hometown after marrying Tina, settling in the picturesque Burtonport region. Meanwhile, Conor exhibited his versatility both on and off the field, serving as the club's treasurer and managing the senior team in 2008. He too relocated, to Co. Armagh following his marriage to Paula, where he has thrived playing soccer well into his twilight years!
The contributions of the Wards to the sidelines of Naomh Ultan extended beyond Conor's tenure in 2008. Garvan played a pivotal role as a core member of the backroom management for several years, notably contributing to the Junior A Championship and league double triumph in 2015. In 2017, Shane teamed up with Garvan, serving alongside him in the management under Kevin Lyons. Interestingly, Shane made a notable return to Páirc Naomh Ultan last year, albeit not donning the black and amber jersey. Instead, he took the field for An Clochan Liath's 3rd team against our reserves in the league. His entry seemed somewhat hesitant, perhaps wary of receiving a few robust challenges from his former teammates!
Shane should be well used to the roads around the Mount Errigal and Dungloe areas, as he tells us he's been pulling on the lycra gear for years! As long as he isn't sporting a Dungloe jersey for the cycle, we'll be happy for him to lead from the front!
