U16 County League, Div. 1 Champions, Austin Stacks, visited Killeen to play County League Div. 2 Champions, Na Gaeil, on Sunday last for Town League Div 1 Game.
A most entertaining game was played in atrocious conditions with a howling gale and continuous downpour for the hour.
Both teams rose above the conditions and produced some excellent individual displays and scores while maintaining team shape and discipline in very trying conditions.
Na Gaeil opted to play with the gale in the first half and seemed to be comfortably ahead with five minutes left in the half but Stacks then struck for two goals to leave but five points in it at the turn over. Half time score Na Gaeil 3-07 to Stacks 3 -02.
Na Gaeil made some astute positional changes at the break and resumed with great determination and got the first score, a point, which seemed to settle them greatly .Stacks threw everything at Na Gaeil but could not break down the backs who were magnificent in forcing turnovers and getting in some fine tackles.
Having conceded three goals in the first half, our backs certainly tightened up and kept scoring opportunities for the visitors to a minimum for the whole second half giving away only five points in total. Final score Na Gaeil 3 10 Austin Stacks 3 07.
Both panels played outstanding football. Darragh Reen and Jack Sheehan were a handful up front for the hour. Tomás Hannifin, Tadhg Lynch and Seamus Harty looked after the middle third in spite of the efforts ofAustin Stacks strong midfield.
Ruaraí Sullivan, Jimmí Ó’Suileabháin and Shane Daly stood up to the plate, especially in the second half, when there was continuous pressure.Thanks to the referee who did very well and the best compliment for any referee, he was hardly noticed for the hour.
Na Gaeil : Shane Daly, Jimi O’Sullivan ,Ruari O’Sullivan ,Mikey Clifford, Basit Oyebanji, Enda O Connor, Adam Burke, Tadhg Lynch0-1, Seamus Harty 1-1, Tomas O hAiniféin 0-1, Jack Sheehan 0-2, Darragh Reen 2-1,Jack Bourke 0-2,Liam Rice, Matthew Burke 0-2F Jack O’Brien, Dara Doyle O’Brien, Liam Óg Kingston, Graham Sheehy,Jamie Fitzgerald.
U12 Na Gaeil U12’s secured the Central Region Division 4 title with a win against Laune Rangers on Monday 28th August. It was a great game, with Na Gaeil closing out the win 5-9 to 5-6.
Laune Rangers clawed it back to one point with only a few minutes left in the game but two insurance points near the end secured the win for Na Gaeil. Congratulations to all the boys who participated. Our last game of the league will be away to St. Patrick’s, Blennerville on Monday evening, 11th September.
U13 The Lee Strand Competition was held at Austin Stacks GAA club grounds on Saturday 9th September. The U13’s were drawn in a very strong group with Killarney Legion, Salthill/Knocknacarra and Ballyboden St. Enda’s. We won the first game against Legion 1-10 to 0-6. We lost against Ballyboden St Enda’s on a scoreline of 1-3 to 2-2.
Those results left us in third place in the group, and through to the Semi-Final of the Lee Strand Plate. We met An Ghaeltacht and won 4-09 to 0-3. The Final of the Plate was held on Sunday morning 10th September and we met Oranmore/Maree of Galway. In a thrilling match Na Gaeil ran out winners 2-13 to 2-08.
Congratulations to all the boys on their great achievement. They put in a lot of hard work and no little skill. The other teams who we met in the group stages – Salthill/Knocknacarra and Ballyboden St Enda’s ended up in their respective finals also, which shows just how competitive our group was. Salthill/Knocknacarra beat Austin Stacks to win the Shield final and Ballyboden St Enda’s lost to Naas in the Cup final.
U10 Sunday we travelled to Ballyrickard to play Kerins O’Rahillys in a challenge game. We had about 20 players on the day so everyone got plenty of game time in which to display their skills. Well done everyone.
Thank you to Kerins O’Rahillys for hosting us. We’ve a busy week ahead. On Thursday next we’re due to host Ardfert in a challenge game and at the weekend, possibly Saturday, we’re due to travel to Tarbert to play their under 10 team. Please remember that it’s essential that all players wear their mouth guards at all training sessions and games.
U6 & U8 Another bust weekend for the Na Gaeil players who took on the under 6 and 8 Kerins O’ Rahilly teams. Despite wintery conditions some great competitive football was displayed and we thank Kerins O’ Rahillys for inviting us to their grounds.
Na Gaeil Ladies We played at home on Tuesday night in the Division 1 U12 Town League v John Mitchels. We started brightly with Aisling setting up Siena for the 1st point of the game. Roisin and Siun were winning free kicks which Siena placed over the bar.
Grace, Niamh and Elsie Peig were very tight on the Mitchels forwards. Elizabeth made a couple of great saves with Mitchels only scoring 2 points in the 1st half. Cara kept us ahead with a 3 point lead with a long range point at half time.
We were playing into the wind for the 2nd half with Mitchels scoring a goal and 2 points early in the 2nd half but we dug deep and with some excellent play we pulled ourselves back into the game with Caoilinn scoring her 1st goal.
Caoilinn quickly followed this with another goal and a point after Aoife Hartnett and Eve set her up. Maya and Ava came into defence alongside the very steady Aoife Barrett and Shania who left nothing past them for the final 15 mins.
Caoimhe came in and won a free kick which Aisling played in to Sorcha for a goal. Siena scored another point after a great pass from Jessie. Caoilinn scored the last score with a great goal to help us win the game. Well done to all on a great performance.
Team: Niamh Ryan, Ava Rice, Roisin O’Mahony, Elsie Peig Rogers, Aoife Barrett, Aisling Casey, Cara Gannon, Sorcha Casey, Caoilinn O’Brien, Siena Lucey, Aoife Hartnett, Chloe Quillinan, Grace Savage, Elizabeth Burke, Caoimhe Fernane, Jessie Grealish, Eve Broderick, Shania McCarthy, Siun Fitzgibbon,Maja Cieslak.
Table Quiz Na Gaeil Ladies are holding a Family Table Quiz on Friday night at 8.30, 20 Euro per Table. All are welcome.
Ladies U16 Unfortunately, we are facing our busiest time of the season as the weather is disimproving! We played Corcha Dhuibhne last Thursday in the North Kerry league. We knew facing into the game that this would be a serious challenge as this is a very strong Corcha Dhuibhne team.
We played into the wind for the first half and were defending for most of the half. The girls did their best but the west Kerry girls got some very impressive scores and particularly hurt us with goals. The heads were down at half time but with the benefit of the wind in the second half the girls resumed in a positive frame of mind.
The opening quarter of the second half was battled well between the two teams and the home girls were starting to find their form. For the last quarter the girls in green put in a tremendous performance and put away some fantastic scores with a brace of goals by Mary O’Connell and points from Abi, Muire, Sarah, Caragh and Mary. Final score Na Gaeil 3 – 8 Corcha Dhuibhne 7 – 9.
This week we play Legion in the U15 B County Championship semi final and Stacks in the North Kerry League.
Minor Final We wish Diarmuid O’Connor, Ryan O’Neill and the Kerry Minor Team the very best of luck in the All Ireland Minor Final against Derry in Croke Park next Sunday.
Clothes Collection Na Gaeil are holding a fundraising clothes collection over the next few weeks. If anyone has bags of old clothes to dispose of please drop them up to the clubhouse when it suits you. It would be much appreciated.
Na Gaeil Cycling Club Na Gaeil Cycling Club is now up and running with its summer schedule: Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6.30pm and Saturday mornings at 9am from the clubhouse. 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. 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 €3,700 took place on Tuesday evening last. Numbers drawn were 1, 17, 19, 25.There was no winner.
€50 winners were Tony Carlos, C/O Na Gaeil and Mary O’Shea, Blennerville. €25 winners were Mary Harty, Ard Na Lí, Niamh & Maurice Burke, Abbeydorney, Eamon Sheehy, C/O Eddie Sheehy and Maria O’Neill, Derrylea. Next week’s lotto is worth €3,800. 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.
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.
