Seniors Na Gaeil played Austin Stacks in Round 10 of the County League in Killeen on Saturday evening before a very large crowd of supporters from both sides. Austin Stacks playing with the aid of the breeze put the first two points on the board through Daragh O’Brien (free) and Ferdia O’Brien.
Eoin O’Neill pointed for Na Gaeil on eight minutes followed by a Dara Devine pointed free. Wayne Guthrie scored a point for Austin Stacks on eleven minutes to put them two ahead. Two minutes later Na Gaeil’s Kieran O’Donovan intercepted a Stacks short kick out and passed it to Dara Devine who slotted it to the back of the net for a good goal. Joe O’Connor fired over a point for Austin Stacks and Dara Devine pointed another free for Na Gaeil. James O’Connor and Kieran O’Donovan scored two more points for Na Gaeil to put them two ahead on twenty five minutes. But Stacks levelled matters before the interval with scores from Daragh O’Brien (free) and Wayne Guthrie. Half time score: Na Gaeil 1-05; Austin Stacks: 0-08.
Na Gaeil’s Dara Devine pointed a free four minutes into the 2nd half but this was cancelled out by a point for Stacks from Daragh O’Brien. Twelve minutes into the half Shane O’Callaghan fielded a ball on the edge of the square, turned and hit the ball low past Na Gaeil’s keeper Timmy Culloty for a game changing goal. Ferdia O’Brien followed up with a good point for Stacks to put them four in front heading in to the last quarter.
Na Gaeil spurned four good scoring chances in a row and could have been on level terms but for some wayward shooting. Points from Na Gaeil’s Diarmuid O’Connor and Eoghain Sheehy did narropw the gap to three but Austin Stacks upped the ante again and scored the next three points, the scores coming from Shane O’Callaghan, Ferdia O’Brien and a Daragh O’Brien 45. Well into injury time Shane O’Callaghan was up ended in the square by the Na Gaeil keeper Timmy Culloty for a penalty.
Timmy had to retire injured and Eamon O’Neill replaced him between the posts. Austin Stacks Pa McCarthy stepped up to take the spot kick but Eamon O’Neill made a terrific save.
That was the last piece of action as referee Brendan Griffin blew the final whistle. Final score: Austin Stacks: 1-14; Na Gaeil: 1-08. This was a very entertaining game and a very close encounter up to the concession of the goal in the third quarter.
Congratulations to Austin Stacks who were deserving winners in the end and are now promoted to Division 1and go up as champions. We wish them all the best in the forthcoming Championship and in the Premier Division of the County League next season.
Team: Timmy Culloty, Ryan O’Neill, Kieran Dineen, Niall O’Mahony, Andrew Barry, Eoin Doody, Eoin O’Neill(0-01), Dan O’Connor, Stefan Okunbor, Kieran O’Donovan(0-01), Ian McCarthy, James O’Connor(0-01), Dara Devine(1-03), Seamie O’Neill, Diarmuid O’Connor(0-01). Subs: Jamie Lowham for Dan O’Connor, Eoghain Sheehy(0-01) for Kieran O’Donovan; Damien Bourke for Ryan O’Neill; Padraig O’Sullivan for Seamie O’Neill; Diarmaid Herlihy for Dara Devine.
U21 Football Championship St. Brendan’s will play East Kerry in the next round of the U21 Football Championship on Tuesday evening July 31st in Rathmore at 7pm. They had a great victory over Dr. Crokes in the previous round last week in Blennerville.
Junior League Final Na Gaeil will meet North Kerry side Ballydonoghue in the Junior League Final very shortly. The date of the final is as yet uncertain. It will be on either this Friday evening or the following Friday evening so keep an eye out for confirmation.
U12 Next Monday, Aug 6th will see the start of the Kellihers Toyota Central Region U12 competition. Our Green team will play Austin Stacks in Connolly Park at 7pm while our White team will host John Mitchels in Killeen also at 7pm. Both teams will have games every Monday until early September so it is vital that all players make themselves available for training & games. They are also reminded to wear their gum shields at all times during training & games.
U10 Boys U10 training will continue this Thursday evening at 6:30pm but will not take place next Sunday morning. Don’t forget your gum-shields and water. See you all there!
U8 The U8s trained on Thursday night in advance of a game against Austin Stacks on Sunday. Two teams lined up and both put in stellar performances. Some brilliant passing and blocking skills were shown. Our budding stars have great futures.
Na Gaeil GAA Club Summer Camp Na Gaeil GAA Club Summer Camp took place in Killeen last week. Huge numbers attended and all the children who participated really enjoyed themselves playing lots of mini games, affording them ample opportunities to practice and improve their skills. Thanks to the organisers and all the coaches who helped to make it such an enjoyable and worthwhile experience for all our future stars.
Na Gaeil Ladies Mná Na Gaeil Mothers and Others Blitz, Mallow. We travelled to Mallow to play in the Annual Mothers and Others Blitz in glorious weather. Our 1st game was against Cloyne from Cork. With Cloyne scoring the 1st point. Susan equalised with a point before Caroline scored a goal to give us the lead. Cloyne made a great foray forward and despite some great defending from debutants Rose and Ciara, Cloyne scored a goal to equalise. Janice made a great run out of defence with some super close control to set up Amy to score the winning point.
Our 2nd game was against Cuil Gaels from Clare who were a confident strong team but with Eileen and Erris coming into the team, we were stronger. Sharon was unlucky not to get a couple of goals after Heather gave a couple of great passes. Ciara set Susan on her way for her 1st point with Erris scoring a point after Caroline finding her. Gaels did have a couple of shots but Noelle was up to the challenge with a couple of great saves. Rose scored her 1st goal for Mna Na Gaeil after a great shot from distance. Erris and Susan finished off the scoring for us.
Our 3rd game was against Murroe Boher from Limerick which was a tough game as they were a very young physical team but we more than stood up to them with Eileen and Caroline bossing midfield, Janice , Ciara, Rose and Susan holding their own in the backs and Amy, Erris, Heather and Sharon creating chances in the forwards, we fought well and won the game by a point.
Our last game was against Bishopstown from Cork. Both teams were unbeaten up to this stage and it was going to be a tough game. We were strong in defence again. Scores were tight from both sides with Noelle making a great save, managing to tip the shot over the bar for their 1st point. They defended well but we still had chances but couldn’t quiet manage to hit the target. But we were putting the bodies on the line with Janice making a great diving block. With the clocking ticking and the final whistle coming, Sharon managed to find a small bit of space to put the ball over the bar and the game ended in a draw.
It was a great day followed by a good night in Na Gaeil afterwards.
Team: Noelle Kingston, Janice McHugh, Ciara Murphy, Susan Fernane, Rose Kelliher, Caroline Dillane, Eileen Moriarty, Erris O’Carroll, Amy Slattery, Heather Shanahan, Sharon Roche.
Na Gaeil V Scartaglen, Mary Jo Curran Cup, Round 1. We played at home to Scartaglen in a fairly competitive game in the 1st round. We got off to a good start with points from Meagan and Ayesha after some great play from Carla and Clodagh McHugh. We had another 2 points from Meagan and 1 from Jadyn but Scartaglen came back and scored a quick 1.01 before debutants for Na Gaeil Rose Kelliher and Megan O’Connor came on and Megan scored 1.01 within 2 minutes of her debut. Jadyn and Nora were controlling midfield with Eilis, Brid and Clodagh O’Connor bossing the half-back line. Susan, Caragh and Ria were in total control of the backs along with Sarah doing very well in goals for us with her kick outs. We had a good lead at half time but Scart made a great start to the 2nd half with a quick 2.03 to bring themselves right back into the game but we came back again with a goal through Sibeal and a great point from Nora. The game was getting very competitive at this stage with Freya, Mags, Sarah Quigley and Sarah Barrett coming into defence to try and help control Scarts runners. Eilis found Megan in space near the box and she got pulled to the ground. Megan got up and dispatched the penalty into the back of the net. Cloadgh McHugh finished off with a great point after good play from Muire. Final Score 4.08 to 3.04
Team: Susan Fernane , Sarah Quigley, Mary O’Connell, Brid O’Connor, Nora O’Connell, Jadyn Lucey, Eilis O’Connor, Meagan Sheehy, Ayesha Roche, Sibeal Casey, Marguerite Maunsell, Clodagh O’Connor, Clodagh McHugh, Ria Walsh, Caragh O’Neill, Freya O’Connor, Sarah Barrett, Carla Hanafin, Muire Kingston, Megan O’Connor, Rose Kelliher
Na Gaeil V Inbhear Scéine Gaels, Mary Jo Curran Cup, Round 2. We welcomed ISG on Sunday evening to Na Gaeil. ISG are a strong team and we would have our work cut out for us to try and get a good result against them but we got a great start with a point from Jadyn and a goal apiece from Ayesha and Sibeal within the 1st four minutes.
We pushed on and Meagan won the ball from our own 45 and ran the length of the field to score another goal. ISG were still a threat with Sarah making a couple of great saves and Susan playing a captain’s role in the heart of defence, and with Mags and Caragh either side, they were very solid. Muireann and Clodagh O’ Connor with Eilis O’Connor sweeping up everything that came her way keeping ISG to four points. Carla and Clodagh McHugh made some great runs setting up Jadyn for another point before 3 more from Meagan and 2 from Ayesha. Sibeal started the 2nd half with a point before ISG scored 2.02 without reply.
Dearbhla, Ayesha and Meagan scored a point apiece before ISG scored another 1.01 with the aid of the wind. There wasn’t much between us but the two O’Connell girls in midfield Nora and Mary started to take control of the game again setting up Meagan and Jadyn for a point apiece. Nora made a drive through and scored a point before Ayesha set up Dearbhla for her 1st goal and then Sibeal and Clodagh McHugh set up Dearbhla for her 2nd goal. After a very competitive game and some great defending from Susan, Mags, Caragh and Martina we held on to win on a score line of 5.14 to 4.08.
Team: Susan Fernane, Muireann Moriarty, Sarah Quigley, Mary O’Connell, Nora O’ Connell, Jadyn Lucey, Eilis O’Connor, Meagan Sheehy, Ayesha Roche, Sibeal Casey, Marguerite Maunsell, Clodagh O’Connor, Clodagh McHugh, Martina O’ Connor, Dearbhla Quirke, Caragh O’Neill, Sarah Barrett, Carla Hanafin,
Speedy Recovery We wish senior player player Fergal Barry who underwent a cruciate ligament operation this week a speedy recovery. We hope his recuperation will go well and that he will be back in the playing fields with Na Gaeil next season.
Good Luck Best of luck to Jack Barry and the Kerry Team as they take on Kildare in Fitzgerald Stadium next weekend in the last round of the Super 8’s. If Kerry win this encounter and if Galway defeat Monaghan Kerry will hopefully go on to meet the Dubs in the All Ireland semi final in a few weeks time.
Congrats Heartiest congratulations to our near neighbours Churchill who defeated Valentia in the Division 5 County League Final at the weekend. They were unbeaten all year and are now deservedly promoted to Division four as champions. We wish them all the best next season.
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 €8,300 took place on Tuesday evening last. Numbers drawn were 10, 17, 21, 24. There was no winner. €50 winners were Seán O’Dálaigh, Chestnut Drive and Phil Quirke, The Grove, Mounthawk. €25 winners were Eileen & John Doherty, Ard Na Lí, Pa Quirke, Oakpark Demesne, John O’Shea, Oakpark Drive and The Knockers.. Next week’s jackpot is €8,400. 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.
