The group of cyclists ready for the off the Na Gaeil GAA Club annual cycle on Saturday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
Na Gaeil Annual Cycle Na Gaeil Annual Cycle took place on Saturday last in glorious sunshine and was a great success.
The 1956 Rás Tailtean winner Paudie Fitzgerald from Dingle had the honour of starting the cycle. He also brought along his winning bicycle and it was on display in the clubhouse for all to admire. He has kept it in great condition over the years.
Over 80 cyclists took part, some cycling the 40km route and the more experienced cyclists doing the 80km route. The weather conditions were absolutely perfect for the event. Everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves and it was great to see so many young people taking part.
Thanks to everybody who helped to make it such a successful and enjoyable event: The families that provided all the delicious and tasty food. There was a huge array of tasty sandwiches, scones, cakes, buns, tea, coffee and delicious hot soup.
Thanks to the people who served the food in the clubhouse all day, the Civil Defence for providing the ambulance and the stewards for their presence at the various traffic junctions. A special thanks also to the people that manned the food stations in Abbeyfeale and Castleisland and to Fr. Casey’s GAA Club Abbeyfeale for the use of their facilities.
Last but not least thank you to all the cyclists that took part and supported this fundraising event for the club and helped to make it such a wonderful occasion.
Seniors Na Gaeil played Finuge in the re-scheduled Premier Junior Championship game on Saturday evening last in Finuge in perfect weather conditions.
Na Gaeil midfielder Jack Barry opened the scoring with a fine point after four minutes followed by a Dara Devine pointed free. Pat Corridan pointed a free for the home team and then their corner forward Darragh Shanahan goaled for them after a long delivery in from midfield. But this was to be Finuge’s last score of the half.
Na Gaeil’s Andrew Barry, Dara Devine, Diarmuid O’Connor(2), Diarmaid Herlihy and Kieran Donovan all fired over from play. Finuge’s situation was not helped when Raymond Galvin and Gerald Lovett were shown red cards in the 21st and 30th minute. Half time score: Na Gaeil: 0-08; Finuge: 1-01.
The 2nd half was always going to be an uphill battle for Finuge and so it transpired. To make matters worse they lost their no. 10 to a red card ten minutes into the half.
It gave Na Gaeil the opportunity to run their bench. Na Gaeil scored at will with Dara Devine, Seamie O’Neill, Stefan Okunbor, Eoin O’Neill, Diarmaid Herlihy, Diarmuid O’Connor, Andrew Barry and Dan O’Connor all scoring points.
Goals also came from the boot of Diarmaid Herlihy and Kieran Donovan. Finuge fought to the end and did manage to put three points on the board during this half. Their full back Declan McCarthy also blasted a penalty wide on 20 minutes which they were awarded for a foot block in the small square.
The only downside for Na Gaeil is that their midfielder Stefan Okunbor was red carded approaching the end of the game. Final Score: Na Gaeil: 2-17; Finuge: 1-04. Na Gaeil : 2-17.
So many sending off’s ruined the game as a spectacle and meant that it was over long before the final whistle. Na Gaeil now face Fossa in the semi final on Sunday next April 29th at 2.30pm in Listry.
Team: Timmy Culloty, Ryan O’Neill, Kieran Dineen, Colm Lyons, Fergal Barry, Andrew Barry(0-02), Eoin Doody, Jack Barry(0-01), Stefan Okunbor(0-01), Kieran Donovan(1-01), Diarmuid O’Connor(0-03), Ian McCarthy, Dara Devine(0-04), Diarmaid Herlihy(1-02), Seamie O’Neill(-01). Subs: Eoin O’Neil(0-01)l for Eoin Doody; Eoghain Sheehy for Ryan O’Neill; Dan O’Connor(0-01) for Ian McCarthy; Jordan Murphy for Seamie O’Neill, Eoin Walsh for Fergal Barry; Paul Daly for Colm Lyons.
Premier Junior Championship Semi Final The Premier Junior Championship semi final against Fossa will take place on Sunday next April 29th at 2.30pm in Listry.
U14 Na Gaeil U14’s played Milltown/Castlemaine last Friday in a re-fixed match from Round 2 of the County League. Some great play near the end of the first half saw us leading by 6 points at half-time. The second half didn’t go so well for us, with Milltown/Castlemaine coming out on top in the end. Our lads put in tremendous effort and they cannot be faulted for their effort. The results will turn if they keep up the good work. Our next match against Ballyduff is scheduled to take place next Wednesday, April 25th at 7pm in Na Gaeil, and this will be a good opportunity to show our true colours.
U12 Last Sunday evening we travelled to Killarney to take on Spa in our second round of games in the U-12 County League. Conditions on the night were tricky due to the strong breeze but all our players gave their best. After a hard-fought encounter our Green team went home with deserved draw having come from behind in the second half. Unfortunately our White team went down to our hosts despite their battling performance in the second half. Our next games are due to be played on Thursday 3rd May when we host Ardfert’s A and B teams. Please ensure you bring your gum shield & a bottle of water to all training sessions and games.
U10 Boys U10 training continues in Killeen next Sunday morning at 11am.
Don’t forget your gum-shields and water. See you all there!
Scór na bPáistí Congratulations to our very talented Iarla and Ruairi Ó hAiniféin, Shane Ó Ceallaigh and Ruadhán Ó Clúmháin who were crowned Scór na bPáistí Quiz County Champions 2018 on Sunday last beating off stiff competition from a host of talented teams to claim County honours.
This is a huge achievement for Na Gaeil, these youngsters and their mentor Tomás Ó hAiniféin and the culmination of many weeks of hard work and dedication. Well done everybody.
Na Gaeil Ladies Na Gaeil v Corca Dhuibhne, Ladies U12 Div 2 North Kerry League.We played at home on Saturday afternoon in glorious weather. Corca Dhuibhne started well scoring 2 early points but we replied back with a point from Siun.
Corca Dhuibhne scored a goal but we replied back again with points from Sorcha and Siun. Corca scored another 2 points before Aoife Hartnett scored our 1st goal with a quick reaction. From this point onwards, we controlled the game as Katie in goals made a couple of great saves but her kick outs were superb.
With Elsie Peig, Priya and Caoimhe playing in front of her and blocking any other chances that came Corca’s way. Grace and Maya were winning any long balls out the wings with Aoife Barrett composed in the centre.
This gave Siun and Sorcha the freedom to go forward to get scores. Grainne was finding space with help from Ava Rice and Aisling who were feeding our forwards with some great passes. Chloe was unlucky not to get a goal after some great work from Jessie.
Sarah Slattery and Sarah Kavanagh came into the forwards combining to set up Grainne for her 1st goal. Ava McGough helped Grainne again to score her 2nd goal. Roisin came into defence and was tenacious in her tackling.
With more scores from Siun, Sorcha ,Grainne , Aoife Barrett and Ava, we finished the game strongly. We are now in the Div 2 North Kerry Shield Final away to Listowel.
Team: Katie Casey, Ava Rice, Grace Savage, Elsie Peig Rogers, Maja Cieslak, Priya O’ Donovan, Roisin Cantwell, Aoife Barrett, Grainne Breen, Aisling Tansley, Siun Fitzgibbon, Sorcha Casey, Chloe Quillinan, Aoife Hartnett, Ava McGough, Jessie Grealish, Caoimhe Fernane, Sarah Slattery, Sarah Kavanagh.
Na Gaeil v Beaufort, Ladies Div 1 County League
We played away to Beaufort on Sunday morning. Mary made a run from midfield after being fed by Mags and Carla and scored our 1st point. Meagan scored a free after Mags was fouled again 21 yards out from goals.
After a good start, we started to struggle as Beaufort came into the game and scored 2 points. We couldn’t hold onto the ball and Beaufort took the lead with a well taken goal. As the 1st half was coming to an end, Beaufort scored another 3 points to leave us 1.05 to 0.02 at half time.
Beaufort has a strong team but we gathered ourselves together for the 2nd half. From the throw-in, Nora won the ball and drove forward and played Sarah Barrett in for a goal. Meagan quickly followed this with a point after a great pass from Ria.
Meagan made a run from the 45 and passed a great ball to Sarah as she put it over the bar. Sibeal made a great turn-over and found Sarah again to placed it beyond the keeper. Muire came on and within 2 minutes she found the back of the net after some great play by Kate Anne, Ria, Nora and Mary.
We had the momentum going now and with Sarah Quigley, Susan and Caragh not letting any player past them. We kept Beaufort to long range shots. We were winning our kick outs from some super kicks from Laura.
Beaufort were struggling to get out of their half as Eilis, Deirdre and Kate Anne were outstanding on the half back line.
We were still setting up more attacks as Nora raced through to score a point. Freya brought fresh legs into defence as we kept Beaufort scoreless for the 2nd half. Sibeal found Jadyn with a crossfield ball and Jadyn placed the ball over for a point.
Clodagh scored the last point of the game with a first time kick after a great kick pass from Kate Anne who spotted Clodagh’s great run.
Final Score Beaufort 1.05 Na Gaeil 3.08. After today’s result we are top of Div 1 and we have made the Semi Finals with 1 game to go. Last game is away to ISG Kenmare on Sunday the 13th May.
Team: Laura Fitzgerald, Susan Fernane, Deirdre Kearney, Sarah Quigley, Mary O’ Connell, Nora O’ Connell, Jadyn Lucey, Eilis O’ Connor, Meagan Sheehy, Kate Anne O’ Connor, Sibeal Casey, Caoimhe Hanafin, Marguerite Maunsell, Ria Walsh, Caragh O’ Neill, Freya O’ Connor, Sarah Barrett, Carla Hanafin, Muire Kingston.
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. 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 €6,900 took place on Tuesday evening last.
Numbers drawn were 1, 5, 6, 27. There was no winner. €50 winners were Niall Lucey, Oakley Park and Tom Rice, Abbeydorney. €25 winners were Mná Na Gaeil, Paudie Griffin, Leith East, Michael O’Neill, C/O Eddie and Mike Roger O’Sullivan, Currovough South. Next week’s jackpot is €7,000. 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.
