Seniors Na Gaeil travelled to Castleisland on Sunday to take table toppers Desmonds in Round 7 of the Senior County League. Playing with the aid of a strong breeze the hard working Seamie O’Neill pointed after two minutes followed by a nice point from the energetic Ian McCarthy.
Desmonds were on level terms on 11 minutes with their scores coming from Danny Hickey and Cian D. O’Connor. Eoin Doody fired over Na Gaeil’s third point and then full forward Jamie Lohwam scored a great goal which was set up by Kieran Donovan to go four points clear. But Desmonds bounced back and scored the next four points without reply. Eoghain Sheehy scored a great point from distance for Na Gaeil on twenty minutes and Desmonds Tommy Hickey pointed a free.
Dara Devine pointed a free for Na Gaeil at the other end but this score was cancelled out by a Pat Fitzgerald point for Desmonds to level matters again with six minutes of the half left. Things were not looking good for Na Gaeil at this stage as they would be facing a stiff wind in the 2nd period. But they took over for the remainder of the half. Andrew Barry and Dan O’Connor dominated the middle. Eoghain Sheehy and Ian McCarthy landed a point each and the impressive Dara Devine scored three from play and one from a placed ball to put Na Gaeil six up at the short whistle and put them in a good position for the 2nd period. Half time score: Na Gaeil: 1-11; Desmonds: 0-08.
Dara Devine pointed a free three minutes into the 2nd half. Fergal Barry had to retire injured 11minutes into the half and was replaced by Shane Fitzgerald. Desmonds with the aid of the strong breeze again scored four on the trot to leave a goal between the sides entering the last quarter. Desmonds lost wing forward Michael Walsh to a 2nd yellow. With Na Gaeil winning good possession Dara Devine pointed a free for Na Gaeil followed by another well struck Ian McCarthy point.
On the twenty minute mark substitute James O’Connor was on the end of a good Na Gaeil move. He received the final pass from Kieran Donovan and slotted it low to the corner of the net. Desmonds again responded with three quick points. But these scores were cancelled out with a great individual goal from the tenacious James O’Connor.
Winning the ball 40 metres out he kept his defender at bay, soloed into the edge of the square and kicked the ball low past Stephen Bartlett in the Desmonds goal with four minutes of normal time left to play. This really put the game out of Desmonds reach. Try as they might they could not get the all important goal thanks to net minder Eamon O’Neill and his six excellent defenders including the evergreen Paul Daly.
Dara Devine who was unerring all through from play and from placed balls pointed two more frees for Na Gaeil to bring his tally to nine and Tommy Hickey scored two points for Desmonds. Final score: Na Gaeil: 3-16; Desmonds: 0-19. This victory for Na Gaeil was built on a solid defensive performance coupled with a hard working midfield duo and impressive team play from our forwards and the substitutes introduced. Well done to all involved.
Team: Eamon O’Neill, Niall O’Mahony, Kieran Dineen, Damien Bourke, Fergal Barry, Eoin Doody(0-01), Eoghain Sheehy(0-02), Andrew Barry, Dan O’Connor, Seamie O’Neill(0-01), Ian McCarthy(0-03), Kieran O’Donovan, Paul Daly, Jamie Lowham(1-0), Dara Devine(0-09). Subs: Shane Fitzgerald for Fergal Barry; James O’Connor (2-0) for Jamie Lowham; Padraig O’Sullivan for Paul Daly.
Minor Football Championship St. Brendan’s will play Dr. Crokes in Round 1 of the Minor Football Championship in Na Gaeil on Friday June 22nd at 7pm.
U14 District Championship Congratulations to the U14 St Brendan’s District Team that was victorious in the Plate Final on Sunday beating West Kerry on a score line of 3-10 to 1-09. Well done to all the Na Gaeil players involved and to St. Brendan’s U14 team captain Na Gaeil’s Jack Doyle.
U10 Next Sunday June 24th will see us play our final games in the County League when we host Spa, Killarney at 6pm. 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.
Competing For Ireland Massive congratulations to Na Gaeil U10 player Luke O’Donoghue from all at Na Gaeil Club on qualifying to compete for Ireland in the 100 metre front crawl at the International Halliwick Gala. Luke competed at the National Halliwick Swimming Gala in Killarney last weekend and was one of six to qualify to represent Ireland at the International Halliwick Gala in Poland in September. Wishing Luke every success as he swims for Ireland!
Congrats We congratulate Stefan Okunbor and Diarmuid O’Connor on being selected on the Kerry U20 Team and playing impressively in the game against Limerick in Newcastlewest on Friday evening last in the first round of the Munster Championship.
Best of Luck We wish senior player Jack Barry the very best of luck on Sunday against Cork in the Munster Football Final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Kerry Ladies We wish the Kerry Ladies Senior Football Team the very best of luck in the Munster Final against Cork on Saturday at 2pm in Cork Institute of Technology. It is a great occasion for the club with Na Gaeil players Laura Fitzgerald, Deirdre Kearney, Meabh Barry and Jadyn Lucey all involved. And of course Na Gaeil management team of Eddie Sheehy, Liam Culloty, Mike Barrett and Janice McHugh. Good luck to you all.
Chernobyl Chernobyl Children’s Fund (which is a completely voluntary organisation) is holding a Pub Quiz on Friday June 22nd In Na Gaeil Clubhouse. All proceeds will be put towards the costs of travel for children affected by the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster to travel from Belarus to Kerry this summer for rest and recuperation. We hope to bring 16 children this summer.
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 €7,700 took place on Tuesday evening last. Numbers drawn were 4, 12, 19, 22. There was no winner. €50 winners were W. O’Connor, Lisloose & Mary Maunsell, Laurel Court. €25 winners were Kevin Lucey, Chestnut Drive, Tom Leen, Ballymacelligott, Liam Brick, Kielduff and Denis O’Dowd, Riverside. Next week’s jackpot is €7,800. 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 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.
