Seniors Na Gaeil played Ballymac in the last group game of the Premier Junior Championship on Saturday evening in Ballymac.
Weather conditions were ideal and Na Gaeil started the opening half with the aid of a slight breeze. Jamie Lowham opened the scoring with a point after five minutes and Dara Devine put over a free two minutes later.
Ballymac replied with points from Daniel O’Shea and Con Reynolds. Diarmuid O’Connor pointed a 45 metre free and followed up with a beautiful point from play from out on the right wing. Ballymac replied once more with a point from Vinny Horan.
Then on 18 minutes Ballymac sent a ball across the square which rebounded off the crossbar and was kicked to the Na Gaeil net by their full forward Tomás O’Connor to put them two in front. Jack Barry and Diarmuid O’Connor were dominating at midfield.
Jack raced through the Ballymac defence on 20 minutes and fired one over the crossbar. Diarmuid was fouled on the 45 metre line and he pointed the resultant free kick. Tomas O’Connor again stepped up and pointed for Ballymac.
Five minutes before the break Na Gaeil hit a purple patch and fired over four points on the trot through Kieran O’Donovan, Dara Devine, Eoin O’Neill and Diarmuid O’Connor. Aidan Breen pointed a 20 metre free for Ballymac before referee Brendan Griffin blew the half time whistle. Na Gaeil: 0-10; Ballymac: 1-05.
Ballymac had a bright start to the second half and had lots of possession but kicked three poor wides.
At the other end Dara Devine pointed one from play and from a free for Na Gaeil. Aidan Breen pointed another free for Ballymac followed by a great point from Andrew Barry for Na Gaeil. Twelve minutes into the half Ballymac were dealt a hammer blow when their midfielder Cian Counihan was dismissed for a second yellow.
However Ballymac upped their game and went on to score the next three points through Aidan Breen, Tomas O’Connor and Vinnie Horan to leave the minimum between the sides with 20 minutes gone in the half.
Ian McCarthy and Genie Griffin exchanged points before Na Gaeil’s Dan Goggins goal bound shot was parried over the bar by Ballymac keeper Brian Lonergan. Aidan Breen again pointed for Ballymac to make it a one point game once again with only minutes of normal time left to play. But Na Gaeil stood firm with some great work from all our six defenders and closed out the game scoring the next three points through a Dara Devine free and points from Jack Barry and James O’Connor.
Aidan Breen finished the half with a 20 metre pointed free to leave three between the sides at the final whistle. Final score: Na Gaeil: 0-18; Ballymac: 1-12. It was a tough battle as everyone expected it would be, with very little separating the sides all through the game. While Ballymac will be disappointed to lose they can be very happy with their performance.
Na Gaeil will be glad that they got over the line in this encounter and now look forward to playing in the semi final next weekend where they come up against Gneeveguilla.
Hats off to the Ballymac Club for having the playing field in such good condition, to the stewards that ensured that all the cars were parked safely and to the volunteers that provided tea, coffee and snacks for all the supporters at the game.
Team: Timmy Culloty, Eoghain Sheehy, Kieran Dineen, Damien Bourke, Kieran O’Donovan(0-01), Andrew Barry(0-01), Eoin Doody, Jack Barry(0-02), Diarmuid O’Connor(0-04), Ian McCarthy(0-01), Eoin O’Neill(0-01), Mike Griffin, Dan Goggin(0-01), Jamie Lowham(0-01), Dara Devine(0-05). Subs: James O’Connor(0-01) for Jamie Lowham; Ryan O’Neill for Damien Bourke; Dan O’Connor for Mike Griffin; Damien Bourke for Eoghain Sheehy.
Premier Junior Championship Na Gaeil will play Gneeveguilla next Saturday evening April 27th at 6.30pm in the semi-final of the Premier Junior Championship in Castleisland. This has to be confirmed at a CCC Meeting this Monday night but it is most likely that the fixture will stand.
U14 Following our Co. League Division 6 first round victory over St. Pat’s, Blennerville, we continued our winning run against Dingle in Páirc an Aghasaigh in Round 2. The game was played in ideal conditions. We opened our account with a goal from Liam Cooper, but Dingle hit back with 4 points to take the lead.
A goal from Shane Kelly settled Na Gaeil. The scores were level at half time. Na Gaeil: 2-1; Dingle: 0-7. Dingle began the second half with a goal but that was to be their last score. Na Gaeil powered on throughout the half adding points and scoring three goals through Liam Cooper, Kian Sheehan and Seamus O’ Neill.
The final score was Na Gaeil: 5-8; Dingle: 1-7. Congratulations to all the boys. Our third round game was played against Kerins O’ Rahilly’s last Wednesday in Na Gaeil. The first half was a tight affair with the half finishing 4 points each.
The second half was a great spectacle. Entering the final ten minutes we were 5 points down but two goals from Kian Sheehan put us in the lead. Kerins O’ Rahilly’s battled back to score two points near the end of the game, and they held out to win by a single point. The final score was Na Gaei:l 2-9; Kerins O’ Rahilly’s: 2-10. Our next game will be away to Annasacul/Lispole on Wednesday 25th April. A text will issue with the travel arrangements.
U12 The U12 boys travelled to Croke Park last Friday to take part in the annual Go Games Blitz. This was a great opportunity for the boys to experience playing in Croke Park. Well done to all involved, it was a fantastic day out for everyone.
Round 3 of the County League Division 5A and 5B took place last Sunday evening against Ballyduff in Killeen. Unfortunately the A and B teams both lost out on the points on this occasion. Next up they will be away to Annascaul/Lispole on May 5th.
The U12 team which went to Croke Park last week.
Na Gaeil Golf Classic We are holding our Golf Classic this year in the scenic O’Mahony’s Point, Killarney on Friday May 31st.
Once again there is a very special prize on offer for one lucky golfer. A Toyota Yaris Hybrid will be presented to the person who gets a hole in one on the par three 18th green. Tim Kelliher of Kelliher’s Toyota Garage in Rathass, Tralee said at the launch that Toyota is very happy to sponsor this wonderful prize.
If you are interested in taking part in Na Gaeil Golf Classic this June Bank Holiday weekend contact Donal Lucey on 087 257 7729.
Teams of four are €400 and a tee box sponsorship is €100. A meal will be provided in the clubhouse in O’Mahony’s Point for all the participants. All funds raised will go back into the club to improve its facilities.
Free Digital Skills Course Our Club are looking for members who are interested in participating in a Free Digital Skills Course. Topics covered include: surfing the net, email, social media, shopping and banking online.
If interested drop into the club house and sign up. Course duration is 10 hours and will be run over a couple of evenings in the clubhouse. Dates and times will be scheduled depending on demand. This is a great opportunity for anybody wishing to brush up on their computer skills and it’s free. So please come along and sign up as soon as possible and we will get the course up and running.
Sympathy We extend our sincere sympathy to J.J. Canty and family on the death of his father John Canty in Brosna last week. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
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 €2,500 took place on Thursday evening last. Numbers drawn were 1, 12, 17, 22. There was no winner. €50 winners were Padraig Heaphy, Mounthawk and Eimhin Lyons, Dromtacker. €25 winners were John Lawlor, Ballysheen, Abbeydorney, Ethan Connery, Old Killeen Road, Willie & Kitty Palmer, Riversdale and Dr. D. B. Rao, The Manor Inn, Ballybunion. Next week’s jackpot is €2,600. 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.
