Tim Lynch Jnr. Kerry Co. Board Chairperson Tim Murphy, MEP Seán Kelly and Na Gaeil Chairperson Morgan Sheehy enjoying Na Gaeil’s 40th Celebrations on Saturday night. Photo by Joe Hanley
40th Anniversary Celebration Na Gaeil Clubhouse was packed to capacity on Saturday night last to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the club.
Over two hundred and fifty people in all attended with one hundred and fifty sitting down to a delicious meal. It was a night to celebrate the amazing progress this club has made in its short forty year history.
Many of the founding members were present on Saturday night and stories were regaled of times past.
Tim Lynch Junior did a great job as MC on the night introducing all the various speakers.
Chairperson of Kerry County Board Tim Murphy was at the function and spoke of the huge strides the club has made over the last forty years, producing so many talented players many of whom have donned the green and gold jersey of the Kingdom.
He congratulated the senior team on their promotion to Division 1 of the County League. He spoke of the great sense of community and togetherness in the club. Former County Board Chairman and past president of the association MEP Seán Kelly was also a guest at the celebrations.
Stefan Okunbor being presented with a Na Gaeil signed jersey by senior team manager Donie Rooney before he heads off to Australia to play for Geelong Cats. Photo by Joe Hanley
He praised Na Gaeil Club, the youngest club in Kerry for their great sense of equality where there is no distinction made between male and female players and commended Na Gaeil Ladies on their hugely successful season.
He spoke of the clubs promotion of tradition and culture through their participation in all Scór competitions year after year and of the great successes they have achieved in county and Munster competitions.
He said that the success of both the senior men’s and ladies’ senior teams was reflective of the great under age structure in the club over the years. Chairperson of Na Gaeil Morgan Sheehy said it was a great honour for him to be at the helm of such a vibrant club where there were so many volunteers giving of their time selflessly.
He thanked all the different groups and organisations within the club for their commitment, dedication and loyalty to Na Gaeil, helping make it the great club that it is today. He also congratulated Na Gaeil Senior Ladies who defeated Corca Dhuibhne in the Mary Jo Curran A Cup Final earlier that day to cap a fantastic season.
Then it was time to present the annual awards. Clubman of the year went to Colm O’Súilleabháin for the huge amount of work he puts in to every aspect of club life. Juvenile clubman of the year went to John Keating for his commitment and dedication to the juvenile end of the club.
Unfortunately John was unable to attend and his daughter Muireann received the award on his behalf. Both these club stalwarts were thoroughly deserving of these prestigious awards.
Stefan Okunbor was wished the very best of luck by Kerry Chairman Tim Murphy and MEP Seán Kelly as he embarks on a career in the AFL with Geelong Cats in Australia.
Everybody in the club wishes him well and senior team manager Donie Rooney presented him with a Na Gaeil jersey signed by all his team mates.
Hopefully he will play for the club again in the future. Donie also presented the senior players with their county league medals from last year.
He said that going from division 4 to division one to division one was down to their total commitment and dedication over the last couple of seasons.
To finish off the night a no. 9 Kerry shirt was unveiled in the clubhouse. This was to mark the winning of the first senior inter county medals by a player from the club. That player of course was Jack Barry who won a National League medal in 2017 and Munster medals in 2017 and 2018.
It was indeed a fantastic celebration that went on long into the night. Thanks to all the organisers who’s Trojan work made the night such a fantastic success. Thanks also to thank Primms Catering, Kilflynn who provided and served the delicious meal on the night.
Na Gaeil Ladies In our last game of the year, we played Corca Dhuibhne in the Mary Jo Curran A Cup Final. It was a very entertaining final which was played in the Kerry GAA Centre of Excellence in Currans on Saturday evening. Mary got us off to a great start with a point in the 1st minute.
Na Gaeil Ladies team that defeated Corca Dhuibhne in the Mary Jo Curann A Cup Final in Currans on Saturday.
This was quickly followed by a long range point from Clodagh McHugh after Clodagh O’Connor won their kick out. Sibeal won us a free which Meagan slotted over the bar. Kate Anne turned over the ball on our half back line, found Meagan with a great pass and Meagan hit the back of the net from distance.
This was all inside the 1st four minutes. Corca quickly replied with three points but we came back with a point apiece from Jadyn and Mary.
Corca Dhuibhne who won Div 2 in the County League showed their fight and scored another three points in a row. Corca were trying to get a stranglehold on the game but through some great passing between Clodagh, Sibeal and Erika, they helped Ayesha to score 1.01 in two minutes.
Meagan slotted over another free but just as halftime approached, Corca managed to score a goal. Half time score: Na Gaeil: 2.07; Corca Dhuibhne: 1.06. We started the 2nd half brightly with Birthday Girl Jadyn scoring 1.01 in the 1stthree minutes.
Corca did put the pressure on us in the 2nd half but Muireann, Sarah B, Captain Susan and Freya were holding tough. Eilis at centre back was superb with Brid and Mags clearing up any loose balls.
Megan O’Connor set up Ayesha for a point before Dearbhla and Carla worked well together to set up Nora for one of her trademark late runs to score a point.
Another two frees were scored by Meagan after both Blaithnaid and Muire were fouled. Corca Dhuibhne had a good five minutes scoring a quick 2.01 but Martina came in with fresh legs and helped shore up the defence with a couple of well timed interventions.
Áine in goals made a couple of great saves to keep Corca at bay and was outstanding with her kick outs throughout the game. Kate Anne scored the last point of the game for us to win on a scoreline of 3.13 to 3.07.
It has been a tremendous year. We lost the County Championship Final and the Mary Jo A Final last year but showed great team spirit and character to be able to win County and Munster Championship, Mary Jo Curran Cup and the County League Div 1 Title this season. It is a credit to all the players for the work and commitment that they have shown throughout the year.
It is a year that shall never be forgotten. Thanks to all our supporters and everyone that has helped us out through the year.
Thanks to our team Management Eddie Sheehy, Troy O’Connell, Mike Barrett, Janice McHugh, Philip Dewey, Mike O Brien and our first aid man Paul Cunningham for their time and effort.
Thanks also to our two team mascots Karen and Eilis who travelled far and wide supporting us and keeping us entertained on the bus. The Kerry Ladies County also acknowledged this and presented the two girls with two special medals. Thanks to Captain Susan Fernane for all her hard work throughout the year as well.
Na Gaeil Ladies 2018 Team: Laura Fitzgerald, Susan Fernane, Deirdre Kearney, Sarah Quigley, Mary O’Connell, Brid O’Connor, Nora O’Connell, Jadyn Lucey, Eilis O’Connor, Meagan Sheehy, Meabh Barry, Kate Anne O’Connor, Maria Quirke, Ayesha Roche, Megan O’Connor ,Clodagh McHugh, Aine O’Sullivan, Erika O’Sullivan, Sibeal Casey, Marguerite Maunsell, Clodagh O’Connor, Muireann Moriarty, Martina O’Connor, Ria Walsh, Dearbhla Quirke, Caragh O’Neill, Freya O’Connor, Sarah Barrett, Carla Hanafin, Muire Kingston, Blaithnaid O’Connor, Sarah Cunningham.
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.
Annual Mass Our annual mass for club members with special remembrance of our deceased members will take place in the clubhouse on Thursday November 22nd at 8.30pm. All are welcome.
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 €9,800 took place on Tuesday evening last. Numbers drawn were 14, 15, 20, 24. There was no winner. €50 winners were Gerry O’Reilly, Ballyseedy and Jeremy Burke, Castleisland. €25 winners were Marguerite Field, Abbeydorney, Padraig Quille, Killarney, Conor Kavanagh Clogherbrien, and M.Doody, C/O Na Gaeil.. Next week’s jackpot is €9,900. 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.
