Premier Junior Championship Final Na Gaeil play St. Senan’s in the Premier Junior Championship Final on Sunday next May 5th at 1.30pm in Austin Stack Park. Wear your club colours and come out to support the team.
Seniors Na Gaeil took on the East Kerry side Gneeveguilla in the Premier Junior Championship semi final in Castleisland on Saturday evening last. This game lived up to its billing and was a tight encounter all through.
The Tralee side was forced to line out without the services of Kerry midfielder Jack Barry but he had an able replacement in Dan O’Connor. Na Gaeil played with the aid of a stiff breeze in the first half and a Dara Devine pointed free put them on the scoreboard after one minute of play.
Gneeveguilla’s John O’Leary pointed a free at the other end followed by a point from play from their no. 5 Padraig O’Connor. Dara Devine fired over another free on eight minutes but the East Kerry side replied again with their no. 12 Cornelius Buckley slotting over a point.
Towards the end of the first quarter the in-form Jamie Lowham and Dara Devine pointed for Na Gaeil to put them one in front.
Then in the 20th minute Gneeveguilla’s Padraig Doyle raced through and kicked a ball across the square which was booted to the Na Gaeil net by Pa Warren. They immediately followed up with a point to put them three ahead of Na Gaeil entering the final ten minutes of the half. To their credit Na Gaeil never panicked.
Dan and Diarmuid O’ Connor were working tirelessly in the middle of the field and Na Gaeil’s defence tightened up considerably. They worked the ball up the field and Kieran O’Donovan was denied a goal with Gneeveguilla’s keeper and captain Patrick O’Regan making a point blank save.
Na Gaeil kept the pressure up and scored the last four points of the half through Mike Griffin, Dan Goggin, Eoin Doody and a Dara Devine pointed free to put them one in front at the break. Half time score: Na Gaeil: 0-08; Gneeveguilla: 1-04.
Na Gaeil had a good start to the 2nd half with midfielder Diarmuid O’Connor making a great run forward and splitting the posts. Na Gaeil dominated the first twenty minutes of this half with our defence coming to grips with the nippy East Kerry forwards and snuffing out attack after attack.
Our midfield was on top which ensured a plentiful supply of ball to our forwards. But this was a tricky wind to play against and we found it difficult to make our dominance count on the scoreboard.
Wing back Kieran O’Donovan scored a great point at the end of the third quarter to put Na Gaeil three in front. But Gneeveguilla were always going to have a good spell and their no. 12 Cornelius Buckley fired over a free on the 20 minute mark, their first score of the half.
This was quickly followed by points from Padraig Doyle and another Buckley pointed free to make it all square with six minutes left to play.
Na Gaeil kept their composure and defended bravely to deny Gneevegullla any chance of taking the lead. Wing forward Mike Griffin scored a great point from 40 metres to put Na Gaeil in front in the 27th minute and Ian McCarthy put them two ahead with a neat point in the last minute of normal time.
Two points is always a precarious lead and Gneeveguilla surged forward with nothing but a goal on their minds. They were almost through on two occasions but crucial interceptions by the immense Andrew Barry and Eoin O’Neill kept them at bay. Referee Peter Lyons blew the final whistle to bring an end to what was a very entertaining and exciting game of football from both teams.
Na Gaeil now play St. Senan’s in the Premier Junior Final next Sunday May 5th at 1.30pm in Austin Stack Park. Thanks to Desmonds GAA Club for having the pitch in such excellent condition.
Team: Timmy Culloty, Ryan O’Neill, Kieran Dineen, Damien Bourke, Kieran O’Donovan(0-01), Andrew Barry, Eoin Doody(0-01), Diarmuid O’Connor(0-01), Dan O’Connor, Ian McCarthy(0-01), Eoin O’Neill, Mike Griffin(0-02), Dan Goggin(0-01), Jamie Lowham(0-01), Dara Devine(0-04). Subs: James O’Connor for Dara Devine; Fergal Barry for Eoin Doody.
U12 The U12 boys had no games this weekend but they travel to Annascaul/Lispole on Sunday next, May 5th for the final round of games in division 5A/5B. Times etc to be confirmed. Parents will be notified later in the 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; Tim Lynch Junior on 087 418 4239; Morgan Sheehy on 087 647 6803 or Pat O’Connor on 087 938 4808.
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.
Coiste Na nÓg Quiz A quiz to raise funds for Coiste Na nÓg will be held in the clubhouse on Friday May 17th commencing at 8.30pm. Teams of four are €40. Please come out and support.
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 Sorcha and Colm O’Suilleabháin and the entire O’Conchuir family on the death of Sorcha’s mother Sorcha Uí Conchúir of Gallarus, Ballydavid at the weekend. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis. We also extend our sympathy to the Quirke family on the recent death of Donie Quirke of Kerins Park and formely of Clahane and to the Daly family on the recent death of James Daly in Dublin. May they both rest in peace.
Na Gaeil Cycling Club Na Gaeil Cycling Club summer schedule: Saturday mornings at 9.00am 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 €2,600 took place on Thursday evening last. Numbers drawn were 4, 18, 24, 26. There was no winner. €50 winners were John Foley, C/O Dooks Golf Club and Alan and Phil Casey, Oakpark Demesne. €25 winners were Mary Harty, Ard Na Lí, Paddy Sugrue, Kelliher’s Electrical, Michael O’Mahony, Lissanearla and Tadhg Condon, Ballinorig. Next week’s jackpot is €2,700. 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.
Clothes Collection There is now a Clothes Collection Bin situated in Na Gaeil car
