Seniors Na Gaeil entertained Listowel Emmets at home in Killeen on Sunday afternoon last in warm humid conditions.
Listowel’s Conor Cox opened the scoring with a well struck 45 after five minutes and followed up with a point from play to go two ahead after eight minutes. Na Gaeil players got into their stride and reeled off the next four points through Diarmuid O’Connor, Diarmaid Herlihy, Stefan Okunbor and Seamie O’Neill.
On twelve minutes a well worked Na Gaeil move saw Dan Goggin strike a great shot to the back of the Listowel net.
This was quickly followed by a Dan O’Connor point for Na Gaeil to leave them six points ahead mid-way through the half. Cox pointed a free for Listowel Emmets followed by a great Noel Kennelly point to reduce the deficit to four.
Eoin Doody and Stefan pointed for Na Gaeil before the in-form Dan Goggin rattled the back of the Emmets’ net for the 2nd time on twenty four minutes.
Listowel’s Sam Tarrant fired over two frees but on the stroke of half time Na Gaeil’s Dan Goggin had the last say of the half striking a great goal to complete his hat trick on his first start with the seniors. Half time score: Na Gaeil: 3-07; Emmets: 0-06.
Andrew Barry opened the 2nd half scoring with a fine point for Na Gaeil but Listowel’s Noel Kennelly fielded a great ball in the square and finished it to the Na Gaeil net . Na Gaeil responded and scored six unanswered points.
Three came from the boot of Diarmuid O’Connor and one each from Diarmaid Herlihy, Fergal Barry and a Dara Devine free to open a wide gap between the teams. Na Gaeil then fell asleep for a while and allowed Emmets in for three goals in as many minutes with Cox scoring two and corner back Graham Tarrant scoring the other.
But Na Gaeil’s Jordan Murphy was on the end of a good move and he calmly finished it to the net. Dara Devine put over another free and corner back Fergal Barry stroked over a fine point before the referee blew for full time.
Final score: Na Gaeil: 4-17; Listowel Emmets: 4-06. It was a great first start for Na Gaeil minors Damien Bourke who was very solid at corner back and for Dan Goggin who calmly slotted home three great goals in his first full game for the seniors.
It’s also great to see veteran Eamon O’Neill back playing between the posts for Na Gaeil, a player who has given great service to the club over the years.
Team: Eamon O’Neill, Fergal Barry, Kieran Dineen, Damien Burke Kieran O’Donovan, Andrew Barry, Eoin Doody, Stefan Okunbor, Dan O’Connor Seamie O’Neill, Diarmuid O’Connor, Eoin Walsh, Diarmaid Herlihy, Dan Goggin Dara Devine. Subs: Padraig O’Sullivan for Dan O’Connor; Jordan Murphy for Diarmaid Herlihy; Shane Fitzgerald for Damien Bourke, Paul Daly for Diarmuid O’Connor; Jamie Lowham for Seamie O’Neill; Jack Carmody for Eoin Walsh.
Junior League Na Gaeil play Milltown/Castlemaine away in Round 2 of the Junior Football League on this Friday evening June 1st at 7.30pm.
U14 On Wednesday evening last Na Gaeil U14’s travelled to Cordal to take on Knockagoshel/Brosna/Duagh in the County League Division 3 Final. This was the third time the two teams had met this year, with Knock/Brosna/Duagh coming out on top in the two previous encounters.
Nathan Rogers opened the scoring for Na Gaeil with a point after two minutes. However, Knock/Brosna/Duagh opened their account with a well taken goal after five minutes. Na Gaeil replied immediately with a point from Cillian Murphy, which was cancelled out a minute later by Knock/Brosna/Duagh’s second point.
Sean O’Connor reduced the deficit to one score after eight minutes with his first score of the game. Knock/Brosna/Duagh started to dominate possession but the Na Gaeil full back line of Seamus O’Neill, Cian O’Neill and Rory Reen stood firm and kept their opponents scoreless. Na Gaeil were level after thirteen minutes when Cillian Murphy got his second point after good work from Shane Kelly and Lee Buckley.
Knock/Brosna/Duagh were back in the lead after fifteen minutes when they scored their second point from a free.
Na Gaeil regained the lead a minute later with a goal from Sean O’Connor, which was quickly followed by points from Cian Sheehan and Nathan Rogers. The see saw nature of the game continued as the side swapped scores and great defending from Edward Sheehy and Rory Reen ensured that Na Gaeil kept their slender lead as the game approached half time.
Na Gaeil then struck for the final score just before the interval. Kieran O’Connor started the move from mid field and Sean O’Connell finished with a great point to leave the half time score Na Gaeil 1-8, Knock/Brosna/Duagh 1-4.
Na Gaeil made a great start to the second half with goals from Sean O’Connell and Nathan Rogers in the first five minutes. Despite this our opponents refused to give up and Jack Doyle and Jack Dakissia both made vital interceptions to restrict our opponents to one point in the opening period of the second half.
This good work inspired their team mates and Na Gaeil began to dominate the game. Our half back line of Jack Dakissia, Jack Doyle and Edward Sheehy drove forward on every opportunity and the O’Connor twins took over at mid field.
This lead to further scores from Killian Murphy, Sean O’Connell, Kieran O’Connor and Jack Costello to leave Na Gaeil leading by 3-13 to 1-5 after thirteen minutes.
Knock/Brosna/Duagh didn’t drop their heads and kept attacking and were denied a second goal when Arrann Deahunty made a great save. They registered their second point of the half on the fifteenth minute and followed up with another point a minute later, but Na Gaeil replied with further scores from Kieran O’Connor and Nathan Rogers.
Na Gaeil were able to give all subs (who were all U12 players) game time in the final quarter and they played their part when introduced. Despite the large lead the Na Gaeil defenders didn’t drop their concentration with Cian O’Neill and Sean Barrett making excellent blocks & interceptions as the game entered the final minutes.
Sean O’Connor and Ruairí O hAiniféin added further points for Na Gaeil before Knock/Brosna/Duagh got the final two scores to leave Na Gaeil ahead by 3-17 to 1-9 at the final whistle.
Congratulations to Na Gaeil for this great victory. The hard training in the wet evenings in February paid off in the sunshine last Wednesday as the teams fitness showed in the second half. We must thank all the supporters who have followed this team throughout the county league and look forward to the rest of the season.
Panel: A Delahunty, S O’Neill, C O’Neill, R Reen, J Dakissia, J Doyle, E Sheehy, K O’Connor, S O’Connor, C Murphy, S O’Connell (Capt.), L Buckley, C Sheehan, N Rogers, S Kelly, J Costello, S Barrett, R Ó hÁiniféin, S Morris, K O’Donoghue.
U12 Last Sunday night we travelled the long journey to Kenmare to take on their two under 12 teams in Round 2 of the County League. Our Green team were victorious on the night winning on a scoreline of 4-18 to 4-6. Unfortunately despite a great second half display our White team lost out on a scoreline of 5-18 to 5-9.
Our next games for both of our teams will involve a trip to Farranfore to play Firies on Sunday 10thJune. In the meantime we hope to see you all at training during the week. Please remember to bring your mouth guard to all training sessions & games.
U10 On Sunday afternoon the U10 boys took to the field at half time of the Na Gaeil v Listowel Emmets Round 5 league game. Judging by the reaction of the crowd present, they all really enjoyed the short game. Well done to everyone on the great display! Training continues in Killeen next Sunday morning 11am. Don’t forget your gum-shields and water.
U8 Na Gaeil under 8s were very happy to welcome some new friends to training this week. We look forward to seeing them again on Sunday. Everyone worked very hard on their practice drills and finished off with two great games of football. We’ll be back training on Sunday at 11.00am in Killeen. Please don’t forget to bring water and gumshield and wear suncream if appropriate.
U16 Ladies We have no game this week as exam season has kicked in. We have played five of our County League games having won four and drawn one. Our two remaining games are against Firies and Scartaglin. Good luck to the girls involved in exams!
Exams We wish all our Junior and Leaving Cert students the very best of luck in their upcoming exams and hope that all goes well for them.
Congratulations Congratulations to former senior player Liam O’Flaherty on his appointment as Dairygold’s new head of Agribusiness.
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 €7,400 took place on Tuesday evening last. Numbers drawn were 2, 6, 16, 22. There was no winner. €50 winners were Donie Buckley, Oakpark Demesne and Michael Lynch, Ballybeggan. €25 winners were Barry Crean, Racecourse Lawn, Gerry O’Reilly, Ballyseedy, Rodney & Annette, C/O Na Gaeil and Fir Na Gaeil. Next week’s jackpot is €7,500. 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.
