Seniors
Na Gaeil Senior Team played Listowel Emmets in the County Junior semi final in Austin Stack Park on Sunday afternoon. Jack Barry won the throw in, headed for goal and off loaded to Mike Griffin who slotted it over the bar after just 12 seconds of play.
Na Gaeil was in total control and completely dominated the first quarter of this game. Mike Griffin scored again two minutes later followed by a great point from Eoin Walsh after a good run from defence. Jack Barry was fouled and Darragh Carmody put the resultant free over from forty metres. Mike griffin was proving a handful for the Emmets defence and scored two more points in quick succession to leave the score Na Gaeil 0-6 Emmets 0-0 after 15 minutes of play.
Cormac Mulvihill scored Emmets first point on 17 minutes followed by two pointed frees from Conor Cox. Darragh Carmody put over a free for Na Gaeil and Eoin O’Neill made a run up the middle and scored a great point.
The score of the half came in the 29th minute when Jack Barry sent in the ball to Diarmaid Herlihy who in turn passed it to the inrushing Seamie O’Neill and he hit a screamer to the top corner of the net. This was quickly followed by points from Darragh Carmody and Mike Griffin. Conor Cox closed the scoring of the half with two late frees. Half time score Na Gaeil 1-10. Listowel Emmets 0-5
Emmets were the quicker out of the blocks in the 2nd half with Cox pointing two early frees and they were beginning to get to grips with the game. But Na Gaeil was having none of it. Second half substitute Stefan Okunbor headed for goal and he passed it to Darragh Carmody who gave it to Mike Griffin and he finished it to the net.
Two minutes later Mike Griffin once again put the ball in the Emmets net after a one, two with Diarmaid Herlihy to leave the score Na Gaeil 3-10 Emmets 0-7. There was no way back now for Listowel. They scored the next two points before Darragh Carmody pointed for Na Gaeil.
Listowel pulled back two more points but Andrew Barry and Mike Griffin slotted over further points for Na Gaeil. Listowel got a consolation goal on 35 minutes to leave the final score Na Gaeil 3-14 Listowel Emmets 1-13.
It was indeed a great display by Na Gaeil with everybody playing their part. Timmy Culloty was excellent between the posts and the defence was solid all through. The midfield pairing of Jack Barry and Dan O’Connor were totally on top and the forwards clever interplay and support for each other was very impressive.
Mike Griffin was outstanding all through and gave a man of the match performance scoring 2-06 from play. Well done to the management who had the team so well prepared. It was great to see so many Na Gaeil supporters at the game to cheer on the team. They will now play the outstanding Glenbeigh/Glencar team in the County Final.
Team: Timmy Culloty, Eoghain Sheehy, Kieran Dineen, Eoin Walsh (0-1), Eoin O’Neill (0-1), Andrew Barry (0-1), David Culloty, Seamie O’Neill (1-0), Shane Carey, Ian McCarthy, Darragh Carmody (0-5); Mike Griffin (2-6), Diarmaid Herlihy. Subs:Stefan Okunbor for Shane Carey; Kieran Donovan for David Culloty; Dylan Brazil for Kieran Dineen; Colm Lyons for Eoin Walsh; Jamie Lowham for Seamie O’Neill; Dylan Seymour for Ian McCarthy.
Kerry Minors
Well done to the Kerry Minors on winning three All Ireland titles in a row. It is worth noting that Na Gaeil GAA Club is one of only three clubs in the county that was involved in all three finals amassing five medals in total in the last three years.
Our most recent were won last Sunday week in Croke Park when Diarmuid O’Connor, Stefan Okunbor and Ryan O’Neill were part or the victorious Kerry Minor Team that defeated Galway in the All Ireland Final.
In 2014 and 2015 Andrew Barry won back to back All Ireland Medals starring at centre half back in both finals. But the medal count does not stop there. Earlier in the summer Andrew added an All Ireland Junior medal to his collection playing again at no. 6 while defeating Mayo in the final. Niall O’Mahony won an All Ireland medal with the Kerry Minor Hurlers playing a starring role in defeating Meath in the All Ireland Final in August.
This year also Jack Barry won a Sigerson Cup Medal with UCD defeating DCU in the final. In 2014 Dylan Burke won an All Ireland Medal with the Kerry Minor Hurling Team. Senior captain Mike Griffin also has a Sigerson Cup medal which he won while playing with UCC a few years ago. So the future looks bright for Na Gaeil with a depth of talent coming through.
Tommy Markham Cup The Tommy Markham Cup will visit the clubhouse this Friday night September 30th.It will be there from 7.30pm onwards. Light refreshments will be served at 9.00pm and our three Kerry Minors Diarmuid, Stefan and Ryan will be present on the night.
U 16
U16 boys play Churchill in Round 3 of the Town Board Div 2 in Kileen on Thursday at 6.30pm. This is a crucial game and will determine the Div One Town Champions. Please come out and support the team.
Some of our U16s played on the St Brendan’s Divisional Team in the quarter finals of the plate competition against Shannon Rangers. Brendans had a good win and now progress to the semi finals on Sunday next. Time, venue and opposition to be decided. Tadhg Lynch, Fergal Barry, Damien Bourke, Jack Rogers, Rory Murphy, Aaron Dewey and Ruari O’ Sullivan all played in The St Brendan’s team all contributing to a comfortable win.
U 14
Na Gaeil U 14’s played Churchill in the St Brendan’s Championship final last Thursday evening in the Spa. The match was a repeat of the league final, which Na Gaeil won earlier in the season. Na Gaeil opened the scoring with a point from a free. However Churchill immediately hit back with a well taken goal. Na Gaeil reduced the deficit with another free and on the 10th minute went back into the lead with their first goal of the game. The lead did not last long as the home side struck for their second goal of the game. Na Gaeil got the next score to draw level, but again Churchill hit back with another point to regain the lead. Na Gaeil went back into the lead when they scored their second goal on the 20th minute. This was followed with a point and another goal on the 25th minute. It looked like Na Gaeil would go into half time leading by 6 points, but Churchill scored their third goal with the last play of the half to leave the half time score Na Gaeil 3-4, Churchill 3-1.
Churchill started the second half in a determined fashion and scored two points to leave a single score between the teams. Na Gaeil struck back with a goal after 10 minutes to extend their lead to 4 points. Churchill replied with two unanswered points but again Na Gaeil replied with another goal on the 15th minute. Churchill refused to give up and the Na Gaeil defence had to work extremely hard to keep Churchill at bay. As the game entered the final minutes it looked like Churchill were in to score their 4th goal of the game, but a fantastic safe from the Na Gaeil goalie denied them and Na Gaeil went down the field to score their third goal of the half to leave the final score Na Gaeil 6-4, Churchill 3-5.
The U14’s next game is against Austin Stacks next Sunday at 12pm in Killeen. There will be training on Tuesday and Friday at 6pm to prepare for this game.
Panel: S Daly, P Walsh ,T Walsh, J O’Sullivan, B Oyebanji, E O’Connor, O Maunsell, T O ’Hainiféin, J Sheehan, D O’Brien, J Bourke, J Fitzgerald, C Devine, T Reen, M Burke, J McCarthy, D Moriarty, G Sheehy, L Kingston, J Roche, E Sheehy, C O’Neill, S Ryan, D Burns, D Henrickson.
U 10
Well done to all our boys who travelled to Castlegregory last Sunday to play their under 10 team in a challenge game. It was another good test for our lads. We may have another challenge game this Thursday evening. Watch out for a text from JJ. We’re away to Keel next Sunday 2nd October so hopefully we’ll have a good turnout of players for that. Please ensure you bring water and your mouth guard.
U 8
It was an enjoyable morning’s football hosted by Castlegregory on Sunday last with great performances by all our players in a number of very competitive matches. Many thanks to all the parents who organised our players to be on the pitch on time despite some technical difficulties in getting our text messages delivered. We are planning to organise a few more competitive games before the close of the season. Next Sunday we travel alongside our U10s to play Keel at Keel GAA Grounds.
Thursday night training is now finished for the season. We will send out a text mid-week with the final confirmation on next Sunday’s arrangements. Well done to our Seniors for reaching the JC Final. We will all be there to cheer ye on in the final. Na Gaeil Abu.
U 6
The under 6 team got a big surprise on Sunday when the Tom Markham cup made a surprise appearance at training. This provided a great atmosphere for the training session ahead. Training continues next Sunday at 11am.
Na Gaeil Ladies
Na Gaeil Ladies v Ballymac, U15 County Championship 1/4 Final
We played Ballymac on Thursday evening in the County Championship 1/4 final in Na Gaeil. We played into the low sunlight which gave Keeper Megan a bit of trouble but our defence of Ria, Eimear and Sophie coped well with it. Caragh got us on the scoreboard early followed by a point from Ballymac, Mary responded with a fine solo point. Again Ballymac came back and scored another point. Play was tight with Ballymac giving us no room to play our free flowing game.
Ballymac scored a free kick before Brid found the back of the net. Mary scored a free followed by a point from Muire. Ballymac scored a goal with some help from a low lying sun. Just before half time, Clodagh found Ciara with a long kick pass, which Ciara placed beyond their keeper.
We started the 2nd half much brighter with Dearbhla bursting forward after a great ball from Sarah and hitting the back of the net. Clodagh and Mary were winning midfield. Emily was causing trouble in around the box and we earned ourselves another free kick. Caragh found Mary with another ball which she put over the bar.
As the darkness was nearing and a high ball went into the box, a scramble and fight for the ball saw Abi and Emily scrape the ball over the line. Dearbhla, Sarah and Freya were immense on the half back line and with Ria, Megan and Sophie behind them, we only conceded the 1 point in the 2nd half. Our half forwards Eimear, Muire, Ciara and Caragh had to work hard against a physical Ballymac team who never gave up on the night.
Laoise, Kayleigh and Kayla were winning ball and unlucky not to get a score on the night. We had to work very hard to get a result but now have a Semi Final to look forward to. Final Score 4.06 to 1.04
Team; , Megan Fernane, Ria Walsh, Dearbhla Quirke, Mary O’ Connell, Sarah Barrett, Clodagh O’ Connor, Muire Kingston, Ciara Rath, Brid Sinnott, Emily Crowe, Laoise Delahunty, Freya O’ Connor, Caragh O’ Neill, Abi Casey, Eimear O ‘Sullivan, Sophie Lowham, Kayleigh Costello, Kayla O’ Brien.
Best of Luck to our Mná Na Gaeil team who will heading to Portmarnock for the All Ireland Mothers and Others Blitz on the 15th of October.
Clothes Collection: Na Gaeil Ladies are fundraising with a used clothes and shoes collection. All unwanted items such as new, unused, torn and unwanted clothes, bedding and towels, curtains, shoes, bags and belts are being collected by the Ladies club as part of their fundraising campaign. Any items for donation can be brought along to training or dropped into the club bar any evening. All contributions greatly appreciated
Cash For Clubs Na Gaeil is now registered in the ‘Topaz Cash for Clubs’ initiative. Any club Members who are also Topaz card holders are able to allocate tokens to the Club and help raise funds
Na Gaeil Cycling Club Na Gaeil Cycling Club is now up and running with their full summer schedule: Monday and Wednesday nights at 6.15pm and Saturday mornings at 10am.ALL ARE WELCOME, high vis essential
Fir na Gaeil Light Football Training for Men who have retired from playing football and for those that have not played and would like to try it out. Very little skill is required. We train on Monday and Friday nights from 7.30 to 8.30pm. This is a great way to keep fit with light training, ball games and a bit of a laugh. Contact Eddie at 0876791460 for more info.
Mná Na Gaeil , We are a Gaelic for Mothers and Others team who come together and do a bit of exercise, football training and socialising. Anyone who would like to join are most welcome, No skills are required, just a good attitude and a sense for fun. We are out in the required. Contact Eddie at 0876791460 for more info.
Lotto The draw for the jackpot of €5,300 took place on Tuesday evening last. Numbers drawn were 7, 15, 17, 24. There was no winner. €50 winners were Mary O’Donnell, Derrylea and Michael Kerins, The Kerries. €25 winners were Michael O’Carroll, Laharn, Brendan O’Sullivan, Oakpark Demense, Tom Scanlon, Ballybunion and Noah Clifford, Ardfert. Next week’s lotto is worth €5,400. All are welcome for the draw in the club each Tuesday night at 10.30pm.
Bingo Bingo is on every Monday night at 8.30pm sharp. We have prize money of over €1,000 guaranteed every week with a mini jackpot that increases fortnightly when not won. A door prize and a half-time raffle with lovely prizes will also take place every week. . A bus service is available at 087 2817577. You can ring this number for pick up and drop off. 100% of the funds raised go back directly into the club. The bingo is run on a total voluntary basis and a huge thank you to all the parents who offer their time to run this vital fundraiser for the club. If anyone wants to donate a spot prize for our weekly bingo raffle, please leave it at the club house and mark it “Bingo”. Thanks to all our patrons who support this event on a weekly basis.
Cards: A card game is held every Wednesday night in the clubhouse. This is a very sociable occasion where you meet your friends for a great night’s entertainment and relaxation. Everyone from novice to senior will enjoy a relaxing game of 45.