Seniors Na Gaeil entertained near neighbours Churchill in the quarter final of the Junior Premier Championship in Killeen on Saturday evening in damp misty conditions. Na Gaeil opened the scoring after 6 minutes with a point from Diarmaid Herlihy after a good pass from Seamie O’Neill.
Churchill’s Cillian Fitzgerald cancelled this out with a good point on 8 minutes. Andrew Barry split the posts on 12 minutes followed by points from Jamie Lowham and Jack Barry for Na Gaeil. Churchill’s Ivan Parker cut through the Na Gaeil defence to score a good goal on the quarter hour mark to leave the sides level. Na Gaeil: 0-04; Churchill: 1-01.
Na Gaeil’s Jamie Lowham was proving a handful for his marker and won three frees in a row for his team which corner forward Darragh Carmody duly converted. Midfielder Jack Barry fired over a point for Na Gaeil on 24 minutes and Churchill’s full forward Pa McCarthy scored at the other end.
Na Gaeil’s Seamie O’Neill and Stefan Okunbar scored the last two points of the half to leave the score at the interval Na Gaeil 0-10; Churchill 1-02. Na Gaeil lost Dave Culloty through injury on the stroke of half time and he was replaced by Dan O’Connor who slotted in very well at no. 6.
Na Gaeil raced out of the blocks in the 2nd half with 2 points in quick succession from Na Gaeil’s no.15 Diarmaid Herlihy. An Ivan Parker point and a Cillian Fitzgerald free for Churchill again reduced the deficit to 5 points.
Na Gaeil’s Mike Griffin scored two good points from play followed by points from Cathal Rogers and Michael O’Brien for Churchill. Na Gaeil scored the next three points through Andrew, Jack Barry and substitute Dylan Seymour.
The last score of the game came from Churchill midfielder Fiachra Griffin. Ivan Parker floated a free into the Na Gaeil square. It rebounded off the upright and fell into the path of Fiachra Griffin and he buried it to the net from close range.
The referee blew the final whistle after the resultant kick out. Final score: Na Gaeil: 0-17; Churchill: 2-06.
Na Gaeil will be happy with the win as local derbies can be tricky at the best of times. They can now look forward to a semi final spot later in the summer.
There were good displays in defence from Dylan Brazil in the corner and Andrew Barry on the wing. Stefan Okunbor and Jack Barry were impressive in midfield while up front Ian McCarthy and Jamie Lowham got through an amount of work setting up good scores for their teammates.
Churchill are a very young team and can be happy with their display. If they stay together they will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
Na Gaeil: Tadhg O’Neill, Dylan Brazil, Kieran Dineen, Eoin Doody, Kieran Donovan, David Culloty, Andrew Barry (0-02), Jack Barry(0-03), Stefan Okunbor(0-01), Seamie O’Neill (0-01), Mike Griffin(0-02), Ian McCarthy, Darragh Carmody(0-03), Jamie Lowham(0-01), Diarmaid Herlihy(0-03). Subs: Dan O’Connor for Dave Culloty; Eoin Walsh for Eoin Doody; Eoin O’Neill for Seamie O’Neill; Dylan Seymour(0-1) for Jamie Lowham; Ger O’Connor for Mike Griffin.
U12 Na Gaeil Boys U12’s played Gneeveguilla at home on Sunday. After a very exciting game we ended up on the losing side by just 2 points. This was a very good performance and we are improving all the time.
We will have a training session on Wednesday next at 6.30pm in Killeen. Our next game is away to Listowel Emmetts on Sunday 7th May. Throw in is at 6pm. Watch out for a text on the travel arrangements.
U10 Last week our boys took part in the first of the Town Board U-10 blitzes which was held in Ballyrickard. We had 2 teams on the night so the boys got plenty of game-time and all played very well. There will be training again next Sunday at 11am. Please remember to bring your mouth guard & a bottle of water. A very busy week ahead.
U8 Next Wednesday May 3rd Keirns O’ Rahilys are hosting the first of the Tralee U8s blitz competition. Please be at their Juvenile Grounds at Ballyrickard for 6.15pm for 6.30pm throw in. Bring water and gum shield. Next Saturday we play in another town blitz at the Tralee Sports Complex. We will meet at the complex at 10.15am sharp for 10.30am throw in.
Players will get notification of details from management during the week. Please bring water and your gum shield.
16 Ladies Our under 16 ladies had their second outing of the season last Thursday evening with a home match against Scartaglin. Having had a narrow loss away to Legion the previous week we were hoping to show some improvement in our overall team performance. Scart were low in numbers so we settled for fourteen aside. Clodagh O’Connor captained the side and lined out in midfield beside Mary.
We settled into the gage much quicker this time around and were playing more like a team with players giving good support to their teammates. Abi opened the scoring with a point, followed shortly with a goal and a point from Mary. Scart also got a point and they too followed up with a goal of their own. Although the home side looked the stronger Scart were not going to make things easy.
However, as the half wore on Na Gaeil began to dominate more and more. We were winning the lion’s share of the kick outs and converted four more goals (Laoise, Abi, Mary and Clodagh) and three points (Abi, Mary and Dearbhla) before half time. The defence was tight also, having conceded only one more point in this time.
Whatever about the first half, the home side were even more focused in the second half. The girls played some lovely football with neat passes and off the shoulder support. The lack of numbers by Scart was showing as their girls were tiring while we had the luxury of swopping girls in and out to give their legs a rest.
The goal scoring continued where it had left off with Dearbhla, Ria, Muire and Laoise hitting the back of the net. Laoise added a point to her tally also. The defence were very strong and kept a clean sheet for the second half. Final score: Na Gaeil 9-6; Scartaglin 1-2.
Na Gaeil team: Aine, Isabelle(Megan), Ria, Sophie, Eimer(Ciara), Sarah, Mary, Clodagh, Emily(Kayleigh), Abi, Laoise(Freya), Brid(Muire) and Dearbhla. Our next match is away to our neighbours Ballymac. Best wishes to Caragh. We are looking forward to her returning to training shortly.
Best of Luck Good luck to Fergal Barry who lines out at no. 4 on the Kerry U17 team that take on Tipperary in the Munster semi final in Austin Stack Park on Tuesday evening.
Na Gaeil Cycling Club Na Gaeil Cycling Club is now up and running with its spring schedule: Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6.30pm and Saturday mornings at 9am from the clubhouse. ALL ARE WELCOME, high vis essential.
Na Gaeil Annual Cycle Na Gaeil Annual Cycle takes place this year on Saturday August 26th. Pencil it into your diary.
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. 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. Indoor Core Training on Mondays from 7.00 to 8.00 in the gym and Friday nights from 7.30 to 8.30pm in the I.T.
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 now doing indoor Core work for the winter on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. Contact Eddie at 0876791460 for more info.
Lotto The draw for the jackpot of €1,800 took place on Tuesday evening last. Numbers drawn were 1, 3, 7, 18. There was no winner.
€50 winners were Niall Lyons, Oakpark Road and John Keating, Bateman’s Green. €25 winners were Marguerite Maunsell C/O Na Gaeil, Ollie O’Connell, Oakpark Demesne, Theresa Kelliher, Kielduff and James O’Hara, Ardfert. Next week’s lotto is worth €1,900. 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. 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 use and mark it “Bingo”. Thanks to all our patrons who support this event on a weekly basis.
