NA GAEIL CYCLE:Na Gaeil Cycle takes place on Saturday 29th August. Usual choice of routes. 40Km to Castleisland and back. 80Km to Castleisland, Abbeyfeale, Listowel, Tralee. Registration Adults €20, Students €10, family €50. Register now online, in club, or on the morning of 29th fro 8 00am. Official start 9:30am.Refreshments afterwards in clubhouse and BBQ @ 8pm.please support.
NA GAEIL U16:’Welcome to the Rock’ were the words that greeted players and mentors when they travelled to Connolly Park to play Austin Stacks in the Div. 1 semi-final of the County League.
The teams had met earlier in the year with Austin Stacks claiming victory on that occasion. Game on and Na Gail had the dream start when Dara Devine drove the ball into an open goalmouth in the second minute but the celebrations were short lived when Austin Stacks turned on the style and gave an exhibition of football for the next twelve minutes.
Points sailed over the crossbar at will in the first few minutes and the green flag was raised on two occasions. The ‘Rockies’scored their entire first half total of two goals and seven points in such a short space of time interrupted only by a solitary point from a free by Dara Devine on the twelfth minute leaving a gap of nine points between the teams after the first quarter.
Defeat looked certain and a cricket score looked like it was on the cards. The tide quickly turned and a wave of green jerseys could be seen surging forward breaking out of defence, attacking their opponents and creating scoring chances. Their heads were still up and sheer determination drove them on. An eighteenth minute free pointed by Dara Devine and two points from exceptional play by Diarmuid O’Connor left a gap of six points between the sides at half time.
Defending had also improved with Shawn Duggancommitting to clearing his lines on a number of occasions and the backs closed down the Stacks forwards not giving them opportunities for scoring chances. Half time score Na Gaeil 1-04, Austin Stacks 2-07.
Second half on and Jack Rogers stuck the ball in the Austin Stacks net in the first minute. This was a distinctive turning point in the game. Na Gaeil upped their work rate and enjoyed most of ball possession in this half gradually clawing back the lead. A sixth minute pointed free by Na Gaeil narrowed the margin to two points.
Football was at a premium with both teams working hard. Na Gaeil’s Ryan O’Neill was a colossus in defence demonstrating his commitment, strength and ability when he met shoulder to shoulder with three opponents and won the battle for the ball to clear his line. Aaron Dewey, switched to corner back at half time, defended well and Damien Bourke tenaciously defended his patch of ground. Rory Murphy covered every blade of grass in Connolly Parkand was constantly involved in harassing the Stack’s defence.
The lads from the Rock pointed from play in the ninth minute, their first score since the fourteenth minute and would be heldvirtually scoreless for the rest of this half except for a converted free by Na Gaeil in the twenty third minute. Diarmuid O’Connor gave an exhibition of high fielding catching a lot of high ball under pressure from his opponents and delivered a lot of quality ball to his forwards throughout the game. He narrowed the margin to three points between the sides with seven minutes to go.
Na Gaeil were playing the better football and were unlucky on some occasions with ball dropping short and not capitalising on winning them in their opponents territory. The excitement was high and each set ofsupporters eagerly cheered on their team. Four minutes to go and the sides were level. Tadhg Lynch drove the ball to the Stacks net, a deserving score for a team that worked so hard.
An attempt to convert a free from long range didn’t find the target in the dying moments of the game. The clock counted down and it was extra time in Connolly Park. Na Gaeil 3-06, Austin Stacks 2-09.
Na Gaeil were ahead in the third minute of extra time when Dara Devine found the target. Stacks attacked well but good defending by the visitors restricted their opponents time and space to find the target sending four balls wide in this period of extra time.
Another high ball, plucked out of the sky by ‘man of the match’, Diarmuid O’Connor, found Dara Devine who fed SeamusHarty to drive it over the crossbar for a two point lead. Atwelfth minute pointed free by Austin Stacks left the narrowest margin of a point between the teams at the interval.
Second period of extra time and Na Gaeil got the start they needed in the first minute when Diarmuid O’Connor drove the ball towards goal and an excellent diving save by the Stacks keeper left it sitting pretty to be driven to the net by Dara Devine to increase the lead to four. Stacks soon responded with a point in the third minute and a converted free left two between them with two minutes to go. The tension was high in Connolly Park with just a kick of the ball between the sides. The whistle final blew and Na Gaeil deservedly won the honours on this occasion. Thanks to all the fans who travelled to support their team and witness one of Na Gaeil finest hours in a high intensity game, with both teams playing a high calibre of football in a sporting manner.
Na Gaeil now play Firies in the final of ‘Division 1 of the County League’. This is probably the first time a competitive under age team has reached this level. Well done lads, you all did terrific. Congrats to Mike and Liam and especially to Darren who has brought his on the field experience to the training ground and the side-line. Best of luck in the final. Full time score, Na Gaeil 4-08, Austin Stacks 2-12.
U 16 FINAL: NA GAEIL v Firies,The final will be held this Wednesday 12th August @7 PM in Ballymac.
NA GAEIL U13:The U13 final of the Kelliher’s Mills Town League (Division 1) took place in the superb grounds of John Mitchels on Thursday last where Na Gaeil just edged it out an excellent and very committed Austin Stacks side at the final whistle.
Final score Na Gaeil 2-08 to Austin Stacks 0-11. This was a game of two halves and it was Na Gaeil that had a commanding lead by half time (1-07 to 0-02) with Jack Bourke scoring 1-02 and Mathew Burke notching (0-03) by half time.
Our defence was excellent with Tom Walsh to the fore and Devon Burns in fine form. Even Enda O Connor popped up from centre back to get on the scoresheet. Stacks regrouped in the second half and totally took over in the first 15 mins of the second half and brought the lead down to 2 points at one stage.
On a rare break Mathew Burke showed real class in finishing to the back of the net to keep us ahead by the final whistle. Great credit to both sides for an entertaining and very skilful game of football.
Panel: Shane Daly, Osin Mansuall, Cian Devine, Tadgh Reen, Scott Ryan, Enda O Connor, Devon Burns, Liam og Kingston, Jack Sheehan, Thomas Hanifin, Jack Bourke, Jimmy O Sullivan, Mathew Burke, Tadgh Horgan, Daniel Henricksson, Denis Moriarty, Tom Walsh, Peter Walsh, Graham Sheehy, Jamie Fitzgerald.
NA GAEIL U10:Hope you all enjoyed the break from training Back training on Thurs the 13th August 6.30pm See you all there! Thanks to all the organisers for a brilliant days fun on Sunday last.Great to see so many of the team members preforming so well in the obstacle course event “all the hard training paying off.
ROSE CUP: NA GAEIL are hosting teams again this year for the rose cup,next Saturday the 15th August .As always in other Years NA GAEIL are know for their great welcome and their provision of refreshments for the teams and mentors and officials.Can you please bring in any of the following,Sandwiches,Buns,Cakes any home baking etc.They can be brought to the club on Friday and Saturday morning.All donations greatly appreciated.
FAMILY FUN DAY & CAKE SALE: Took place on Sunday last and it is safe to say a great day was had by all.A fun filled programme of events which were carefully planned over the last few weeks kept all entertained though the day.
The obstacle course although challenging in parts proved no problem to our club members,U10 winner Shane Kelly U8 winner Katie Casey U6 winner Molly Bric, thanks to Tim john and Terry of course the funballz went down a treat with all.
The highlight of the day had to be the game NA GAEIL Moms v NA GAEIL Gentlemen of all Ages and a what a battle it turned out to be with both teams not giving a inch thanks to Eddie who had his work cut for him and thanks to all who put on the jersey and joined in the fun.
Thank you to all the parents who provided the delicious salads and to Fiona and Helen who made sure everyone was well fed and the mouth watering home baking stall did a roaring trade managed by Agnes,ćait and Niamh who did a excellent job. The BBQ team worked non stop all afternoon thanks to Tim Lynch and his team.
A big thank you to Noelle who operated a very successful keep safe programme,any little mishaps were dealt with calmly and effectively by our First Aider Niall. Helen was kept on her toes all day by a solid line of little ones waiting for face painting .
Of course the surprise band were Q14 who had young and old up on their feet,watch out for them they are really going places and you can say you saw them first at NA GAEIL family fun day,many thanks to Catherine for organising such fantastic live music to finish off a action packed day.Finally to Sean and Johnny for all their help with the tidy up
CONGRATULATIONS: To Niamh Kavanagh wife of Junior Manager Conor, on winner 2 medals at the world Masters Athletics championship in France recently.
CLUB TICKETS:All info for club tickets for semi final on website.
SYMPATHY:Na Gaeil Expresses sympathy to Alice Murphy and family on the death of her sister, Maureen Murray Gorey Co Wexford .
FANTASY FOOTBALL 2015/16:Fundraiser in aid of the club (last man standing) has now started,rules and how to join in the fun can be found on the clubs website.All money raised will be reinvested back into club.please support
NA GAEIL U80:Training with Eddie for men who should know better continues on Friday nights at 8pm. This is a great way to keep fit with light training and ball games for those who are too old to play for Kerry or indeed any GAA team!!
VOLUNTEER:Any club member who wishes to volunteer can do so by giving their details to any club officer.
LOTTO:The draw for the jackpot of €11,400 took place on Tuesday evening last. Numbers drawn were 9,10 15 25.There was no winner. €50 winners were Alice Murphy Micheal Milner.€25 were Paul Doyle,Jer Cassidy,Emma Cassidy Jim Mc Peake.Next week’s lotto is worth €11,500 all welcome for draw in club, each Tuesday at 10.30pm
CARDS: Every Wednesday night in clubhouse. This is a very sociable occasion where you meet your friends for a great night’s entertainment and relaxation.
BINGO: Hope to see you there Na Gaeil bingo is run every Monday night at the clubhouse in Killeen at 8.30pm. This is a vital fundraiser and 100% of the funds are reinvested back into the club. Na Gaeil bingo has grown from strength to strength and continues to grow. Thanks to all the parents who often their time to help run the bingo
