Seniors Na Gaeil travelled to Mountcoal on Saturday evening last to take on Listowel Emmets in the first round of the Premier Junior Championship.
The conditions were perfect and Emmets playing with the wind at their backs scored a point with their first attack through wing forward Cormac Mulvihill.
Na Gaeil’s response was instant as they replied with a well taken goal from the boot of Diarmuid O’Connor and a point from Darragh Carmody.
Conor Cox fired over for Listowel on eight minutes but then Na Gaeil took a stranglehold on the game.
Jack Barry fetched superbly at midfield, raced through the opposition’s defence and crashed the ball to the back of the net. Jamie Lowham pointed for Na Gaeil and Darragh Carmody converted three frees to leave them eight points ahead after 20 minutes.
Listowel got the next two scores. Conor Cox pointed a 45 and minutes later the same player sent in a speculative lob from all of 40 metres which deceived the Na Gaeil keeper. They were back in the game.
Darragh Carmody and Sam Tarrant exchanged points berore the interval. Just on the stroke of half time Na Gaeil were dealt a huge blow when Darragh Carmody limped off the field with a hamstring injury. Half time score: Na Gaeil: 2-07; Listowel Emmets: 1-05.
Andrew Barry replaced the injured Darragh Carmody for the 2ndhalf and quickly settled into the game.
Na Gaeil started with intent and Jamie Lowham fired one over in the 1st minute. Na Gaeil then took over completely for the next quarter and scored seven points without reply; Three coming from the impressive Diarmuid O’Connor and one each from Jack Barry, Dara Devine, Kieran Donovan and Eoghain Sheehy.
Listowel got their first score of the half from the boot of Bryan Sweeney 17 minutes into the half.
This was testament to some great defending by our backs. But there was no let up from Na Gaeil. Jordan Murphy, Colm Lyons and Diarmuid O’Connor scored another three points in the closing stages of the half. Conor Cox and Jack Barry traded points before the final whistle to leave the full time score Na Gaeil: 1-19; Listowel Emmets: 1-07.
This was a rather facile victory for Na Gaeil. They caught Emmets on a bad day and they know that they will have a much sterner test next weekend against Finuge.
Thanks to the St. Senans Club for having their pitch in fairly good condition despite the bad weather recently and for their excellent stewarding that evening.
A special thanks to our Na Gaeil Women and the bar staff for providing food for the players and mentors in the clubhouse after the game.
We play Finuge in Round 2 of the Premier Junior Championship on Sunday next April 8th in Finuge at 2.30pm.
Team: Timmy Culloty, Ryan O’Neill, Kieran Dineen, Eoghain Sheehy(0-01), Eoin O’Neill, Eoin Doody, Colm Lyons(0-01), Stefan Okunbor, Jack Barry(1-03), Kieran Donovan(0-01), Ian McCarthy, Diarmuid O’Connor(1-04), Jamie Lowham(0-03), Darragh Carmody(0-04), Dara Devine(0-01). Subs: Andrew Barry for Darragh Carmody; Seamie O’Neill for Ian McCarthy;Padraig O’Sullivan for Colm Lyons;Dan O’Connor for Stefan Okunbor; Jordan Murphy(0-01) for Jamie Lowham; Patrick Roche for Dara Devine.
U12 Thanks to Firies club for hosting us last Monday. Our first game in the U12 County League is fixed for next Monday April 9th at 7pm, away to Keel. Please ensure you bring your gum shield & a bottle of water. Any player that hasn’t been registered will not be allowed play in the county league, From now on training will be held on Monday & Wednesday nights.
U10 Boys U10 training continues in Killeen next Sunday morning at 11am.
Don’t forget your gum-shields and water. See you all there!
Tesco Tokens Starting on Monday March 19th and for the next six weeks Na Gaeil will be one of three community organisations to benefit from the Tesco Blue Tokens. At the end of the six weeks Tesco will share €1000 between the three organisations. The amount of tokens collected by each group will determine the size of their share. So get shopping to Tesco and voting for Na Gaeil with the tokens. Ní neart go cur le chéile!
Clothes Collection There is now a Clothes Collection Bin situated in Na Gaeil car park. If anyone has bags of old clothes to dispose of please drop them in the bin. If the bin is full, they can be dropped into the clubhouse. It would be much appreciated.
Na Gaeil Cycling Club Na Gaeil Cycling Club winter schedule: Saturday mornings at 10am from the clubhouse. ALL ARE WELCOME, high Vis essential.
Annual Cycle Na Gaeil Annual Cycle in aid of Na Gaeil Football Club will take place on Saturday April 21st. This will be an ideal practice cycle for those intending to take part in the Ring of Kerry Cycle. There are two routes: 40km & 80km. Adult fee: €25; U16 fee: €10 and Family fee: €60. Discounts will be available for Cycling Ireland members. You can register any evening in the clubhouse or on the morning of the cycle from 8am.
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 €6,600 took place on Tuesday evening last.
Numbers drawn were 3, 16, 20, 25. There was no winner. €50 winners were Niamh & Maurice Burke, Abbeydorney and Grainne Morgan, Laurel Court. €25 winners were Charlie & Monica Fitzell, Meadowlands, Noel O’Murchú, Mounthawk Manor, Des Fitzgerald, Ard Na Lí and Jim Adams, Racecourse Lawnl. Next week’s jackpot is €6,700. 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 totally voluntary basis by our club members. 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 clubhouse 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.
