Premier Junior Final 

There was heartbreak for Na Gaeil On Sunday in the Premier Junior Football Final in Austin Stack Park, losing out to Beaufort by a single point. Na Gaeil had a blistering start and were four points clear by the 7th minute. Dara Devine put over a free and Ian McCarthy, Eoin O’Neill and Jack Barry all scored from play.

But then Beaufort’s Fergal Hallisey pounced on a breaking ball in the Na Gaeil square and crashed it to the net. Jack Barry scored another point for Na Gaeil followed by points for Beaufort from Liam Carey and Niall O’Connor to level the game after 13 minutes. Diarmuid O’Connor scored a point for Na Gaeil after a great run followed by a Fergal Hallisey free for Beaufort. Na Gaeil’s Timmy Culloty made a great save on 18 minutes to deny Beaufort Niall O’Connor a certain goal.

Na Gaeil dominated the next ten minutes with Dara Devine scoring two frees and Andrew Barry and Kieran O’Donovan scoring from play. A Fergal Hallisey free closed the scoring to leave Na Gaeil two points up at half time on a scoreline of Na Gaeil: 0-10; Beaufort: 1-05.

Beaufort made the better start to the 2nd half scoring four points without reply to go two ahead after 15 minutes. But Na Gaeil settled with Jack Barry and Stefan Okunbor doing well at midfield.

Dara Devine fired over another free followed by points from Eoin Walsh, Diarmuid O’Connor and Dara Carmody to go two points clear after 26 minutes of the half. Beaufort lost their No. 12 Fergal Hallissey to a second yellow at this stage but still managed to pull two points back to level the game and force extra time. Final score: Na Gaeil; 0-14; Beaufort: 1-11.

Na Gaeil had a great start to extra time with Andrew Barry firing over from play. Then Dara devine pounced on a ball in the square and blasted it to the net for a great goal. Jack Barry won the next ball from the kick out and passed it to Seamie O’Neill who put it over the bar. Na Gaeil were now five points clear after 4 minutes of extra time played and looking good.

But then the game turned on its head. Beaufort scored the next two points and two goals in quick succession.

Na Gaeil keeper Timmy Culloty was bundled into the net for the 2nd goal and it could have been a free out. This put Beaufort three points clear at the break in extra time on a scoreline of Na Gaeil: 1-16; Beaufort: 3-13.

Dara Devine scored two frees to reduce the deficit to a point but Beaufort followed up with another goal to put them four ahead again with 15 minutes of extra time played. But Diarmuid O’Connor gave Na Gaeil a lifeline on 17 minutes when he punched the ball to the net to leave a point between the sides yet again.

In the final minute Na Gaeil were on the attack and looking for the equalising point when the referee blew the final whistle Final score: Na Gaeil: 2-18; Beaufort: 4-13.

It was disappointing that referee Eddie Walsh did not let the final play finish in such a tight game as most referees would have done so in this situation. So there was heartbreak for Na Gaeil at the final whistle having come so close yet again.

But they played their hearts out and left everything on the pitch and cannot be faulted for the huge effort they put in.

Stefan Okunbor was a revelation both at full back and midfield and deservedly won the Man of the Match award for his brilliant overall display.

But there were great displays all round from each and every player and substitute that came on for Na Gaeil.

Well done to Donie Rooney, Richie Barrett, John Barry, Kieran O’Shea, Ciaran McCabe and Niall O’Meara for the huge amount of time and effort they put in to this team. They are a fantastic group and we are all very proud of them. This is a seriously talented team and they will definitely win a Junior Championship in the not too distant future.

Thanks to all our supporters who travelled in such big numbers to Austin Stack Park yesterday to cheer on the team and to the bar staff and Ladies who provided the food in the clubhouse afterwards.

We congratulate Beaufort on their great victory and wish them the very best on their journey ahead in this competition.

Team: Timmy Culloty, Ryan O’Neill, Kieran Dineen, Fergal Barry, Eoin O’Neill, Andrew Barry, Eoin Doody, Jack Barry, Stefan Okunbor, Kieran O’Donovan, Diarmuid O’Connor, Ian McCarthy, Diarmaid Herlihy, Dan O’Connor, Dara Devine. Subs: Darragh Carmody for Diarmaid Herlihy; Eoghain Sheehy for Dan O’Connor; Eoin Walsh for Eoin O’Neill; Dan Goggin for Kieran O’Donovan; Seamie O’Neill for Darragh Carmody; Colm Lyons for Fergal Barry; Jamie Lowham for Ian McCarthy.

County League    Na Gaeil will play Milltown/Castlemaine in Round 4 of the County League on this coming Saturday May 12th at 7pm in Milltown.

Congratulations   Congratulations to Na Gaeil’s Eddie Sheehy who has taken over as Kerry Ladies’ senior trainer and to his assistant Mike Barrett also from Na Gaeil. We wish them both the best of luck.

Minors    Na Gaeil will play Rathmore in the semi-final of the County League on Friday May 11th at 7pm in Rathmore.  All support welcome.

U12     Last Thursday May 3rd we hosted Ardfert in the County League. Our white team put in a brilliant performance to edge out Ardfert on a scoreline of Na Gaeil 3-9; Ardfert 3-8. Our Green team also won on the night. This Monday evening (May 7th) we host Listowel in the final round of this phase of the County League.

Sympathy    Everyone in Na Gaeil GAA Club offer their sincere sympathy to the Fitzgerald and Healy families of Ardfert on the sad and untimely death of Mike Fitzgerald last week. We are truly sorry for your loss. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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.

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. . Training is on Monday and Friday nights in Na Gaeil. 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. Training is on Wednesdays and Sunday evenings.  Contact Eddie at 0876791460 for more info.

Lotto:   The draw for the jackpot of €7,100 took place on Tuesday evening last. Numbers drawn were 1, 5, 20, 21. There was no winner. €50 winners were Catherine Power, Shanakill and Mná Na Gaeil.  €25 winners were Aglish Lyons, Oakpark Demesne, Mary O’Mahoney, Leith West, M. Callaghan, C/O The Bar, Joan O’Mahony, Spa Road. Next week’s jackpot is €7,200. 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.