Bon Voyage Stefan One of our brightest stars in Na Gaeil Stefan Okunbor has signed a two year contract with AFL Club Geelong Cats and will be heading off in a few weeks time.
We are all delighted for him as he embarks on an exciting adventure in professional sport and he carries the good wishes of everybody in the club.
We acknowledge the huge loss he is to Na Gaeil as he has been one of the stars of our senior team over the past few years as well as an underage star for the club at every level all the way up through the various groups.
He was exemplary both on and off the field and a huge role model for everybody in the club.
He will be sorely missed by his team mates both on and off the field. We are very proud of all his achievements with club and county over the past few years.
He won an All Ireland minor medal with Kerry in 2016 and starred at full back with the under Kerry 20’s this season winning the man of the match award in the Munster Final after defeating Cork.
He was also chosen as Munster Eirgrid U20 player of the year and was selected on the Eirgrid U20 All Ireland team of the year along with Na Gaeil clubmate Diarmuid O’Connor.
Stefan helped the senior team to gain promotion to Division 1 of the County League this year and was chosen as man of the match in the County Junior Final for his outstanding performance even though he ended up on the losing side.
There is no doubt that this talented young player was sure to feature in Peter Keane’s plans for the coming season.
While we are very sad to be losing such an outstanding talent we wish Stefan all the best from everybody in Na Gaeil GAA Club and we hope he has a successful career with Geelong. Bon Voyage.
Seniors Na Gaeil was defeated by St. Pats in the St. Brendan’s Championship on Sunday afternoon in Killeen by the narrowest of margins. Na Gaeil were well in control for most of the game but the concession of two 2nd half goals proved costly. Final score: St. Pat’s: 2-08; Na Gaeil: 0-13.
U12 The U12 St. Brendan’s Board Football Blitz will take place on Bank Holiday Monday October 29th at 11am. Games will be 15 minutes per half. In Churchill’s new pitch Ardfert A, Churchill A, Na Gaeil A and Ballyheigue will play each other. In Blennerville pitch Ardfert B, Churchill B, Na Gaeil B and St. Pat’s will play each other.
Na Gaeil Ladies U11 We played Corca Dhuibhne in the U11 North Kerry League at the weekend. We got off to a great start as we played with the wind and we made it count with Ava scoring our 1st point, followed quickly with 1.01 from the ever industrious Priya. Grainne and Aoife exchanged a point apiece before half time. The 2ndhalf was all about defending against the wind but with Jessie, Priya, Eabha, Caoimhe and Aisling in superb form in defence, Corca Dhuibhne were struggling to get through. Orla and Sarah were causing all kinds of havoc in the forwards. Through great work from midfielders Ava and Eabha, we were able to control the game. Grainne and Aoife scored two points. Corca Dhuibhne finished the game strongly scoring two very good points from distance but we held on for a very good win.
We played local rivals John Mitchels on Sunday again in the North Kerry U11 League in a very competitive game. Mitchels got the better start with a well taken goal from distance. It took us a bit of time to settle but two points from Aoife Barrett after some great work from Sarah Slattery got us back into the game. We had the wind for the 1st half and despite the chances we had, we just struggled to get it between the posts with Aoife Hartnett, Eabha and Grainne popping the ball wide and having shots saved. Mitchels started the 2nd half with the wind and scored a goal which was thought to have crossed the line. We were four points down with six minutes left. Aoife and Grainne worked the ball up the field with Aoife placing it over the bar. From the resulting kick out Kate made a super save. She found Priya with a pass. Priya kicked passed onto Ava. Ava hand passed the ball to Orla and she turned and blasted the ball into the top corner of the net. All Square with a minute to go. Aisling won the resulting kick out, found Jessie out in the corner. Jessie made a run in and popped over the winner. Well done to everyone on winning two very exciting games. Some of our Senior Girls came up to watch and were very impressed with the overall skills that all the players displayed on the day.
Team: Katie Casey, Ava Rice, Priya O’Donovan, Aoife Barrett, Grainne Breen, Aisling Tansley, Aoife Hartnett, Jessie Grealish, Caoimhe Fernane, Sarah Slattery, Eabha Duggan, Orla Costello, Kate Burke.
Senior Ladies After our Intermediate Munster Final win, we are now looking forward to a trip to either Edinburgh or London on the weekend of the 3/4th November to play in the All Ireland Quarter Final. There may be a supporters’ bus going if there was enough interest. Anyone that would be interested in going, can contact Eddie 0876791460.
Quiz Na Gaeil Ladies are holding a Fundraising Family Fun Table Quiz on Friday the October 26th in Na Gaeil at 8.00pm. Spot Prizes galore including Best Halloween Costume. €20 a Table, Everyone welcome.
Na Gaeil’s 40th Anniversary This celebration night takes place on Saturday November 10th in the clubhouse and is for the whole Na Gaeil family, parents, mentors and volunteers. It will be a big night with dinner and music etc. Tickets are now on sale in the clubhouse and are being snapped up.
Race Night A date for your diary. On Friday 30th November we are holding an all sponsored Race Night to finance our increasingly expanding Club both on and off the field of play. We ask all our supporters, players and parents to purchase a horse @ € 40 from any member of the Race Committee or from the Club Bar over the coming weeks. The night is always a great social occasion in the Club. Be part of it.
Sympathy We extend our deepest sympathy to Seamus Mac Gearailt on the recent death of his brother Mícheál in Kenmare and to Kieran Fitzgerald on the death of his mother-in-law Eileen Dineen of Lixnaw recently. We also extend our sincere sympathy to the family of Michael O’Sullivan, Leith East and to the family of Maurice McCarthy, Ballybeggan, both of whom died recently. May they all rest in peace.
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 €9,500 took place on Tuesday evening last. Numbers drawn were 5, 8, 10, 22. There was no winner. €50 winners were Paul Creedon, Cork and James Brosnan, Dingle. €25 winners were Paudie Griffin, Leith East, Dermot Reen, Farmer’s Bridge, Emer Ní Ógáin and Michael Milner, Currovough South. Next week’s jackpot is €9,600. 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. Starting time is 9.30pm and everyone from novice to senior will enjoy a relaxing game of 45.
