Munster Quarter Final
Jamie Lowham in action on Saturday.
Na Gaeil travelled to Mallow on Saturday last to take on Cork Champions Kilshannig in the Munster Quarter final of the Premier Junior Championship. The pitch was in great shape and the conditions were perfect for football in November.
Na Gaeil got off to a great start with a pointed free from Dara Devine after three minutes for a foul on Diarmuid O’Connor. Jamie Lowham and Diarmaid Herlihy kicked one each from play and this was followed by another pointed free from Dara Devine for a foul on Jamie Lowham.
Na Gaeil were totally on top winning all their individual battles all over the field and putting the opposition’s defence under fierce pressure. On the quarter hour mark Eoin O’Neill kicked a long ball into Diarmaid Herlihy and he finished it to the net to make it 1-04 to no score.
Dara Devine scored a wonderful point from play in the twenty first minute to extend Na Gaeil’s lead further. Kilshannig had no answer to the Tralee side’s intensity with their defence totally on top. Jack Barry and Diarmuid O’Connor had the measure of the O’Hanlon brothers at midfield where they were ably assisted by the industrious and hard working Dan O’Connor.
Dan Goggin was also working tirelessly in the half forward line setting many attacks in motion. It looked like Kilshannig were going to finish the half scoreless. But when Eoin O’Sullivan kicked a high ball into the Na Gaeil square in injury time Clare referee Chris Maguire awarded Kilshannig a penalty for a foul on their corner forward. Eanna O’Hanlon duly dispatched it to the net.
This gave the Avondhu side a lifeline and some hope for the second half. Score at the interval: Na Gaeil: 1-05; Kilshannig: 1-0.
Kilshannig came out after the break with all guns blazing and exerted some pressure on Na Gaeil for the first time in the game.
They dominated the first ten minutes of the half but the Na Gaeil defence weathered the storm and Kilshannig could only manage a pointed free from the boot of Eanna O’Hanlon in this period.
After two Na Gaeil players were treated for minor injuries in the tenth minute the referee threw up the ball which was won by Jack Barry. He off loaded it to Diarmuid O’Connor who cut through the Kilshannig defence.
He slipped a pass to Diarmaid Herlihy and he finished it to the Kilshannig net. Na Gaeil got into their stride and dominated proceedings once more.
Diarmaid Herlihy pointed in the twelfth minute and Diarmuid O’ Connor calmly slotted over a 45 two minutes later. The unerring Dara Devine fired over two further frees to put Na Gaeil eleven points up with ten minutes left to play.
The Tralee side got a little complacent and a few misplaced passes allowed Kilshannig reduce the margin somewhat. Substitute Jerome Murphy sneaked in for a goal with Kieran Twomey and Conor McMahon adding points to bring it back to a six point game. But the outstanding Na Gaeil defence battened down the hatches once more and snuffed out every Kilshannig attack from there on.
Eoin Walsh raced through and scored a lovely point in the twentieth minute followed by another great point from Mike Griffin in the twenty eighth minute. Referee Chris Maguire blew the final whistle after four minutes of injury time had been played. Final score: Na Gaeil: 2-11; Kilshannig: 2-03.
This was a great team performance by Na Gaeil. Timmy Culloty was solid between the posts. The full back line of Ryan O’Neill, Kieran Dineen and Damien Bourke didn’t put a foot wrong all through.
In front of them Fergal and Andrew Barry along with Eoin O’Neill and captain Eoin Doody were on top of their game cutting off the supply of ball into the Kilshannig inside forwards and attacking at every opportunity.
That Kilshannig only managed to score two points from play over the hour is testament to this. Kieran Donovan, Shane Fitzgerald, James O’Connor and Darragh Reen all impressed when introduced.
All in all it was a good day at the office for the Na Gaeil players and management. Thanks to all our supporters that travelled to Mallow to cheer on the lads on the day. We will expect an even bigger crowd in Austin Stack Park on Saturday next when Na Gaeil take on Michael Cusacks of Clare in the Munster Semi Final at 1pm.
Team: Timmy Culloty, Ryan O’Neill, Kieran Dineen, Damien Bourke, Fergal Barry, Andrew Barry, Eoin Doody, Diarmuid O’Connor, Jack Barry, Dan O’Connor, Eoin O’Neill, Dan Goggin, Diarmaid Herlihy, Jamie Lowham, Dara Devine. Subs: Mike Griffin for Jamie Lowham; Eoin Walsh for Ryan O’Neill; Kieran Donovan for Eoin O’Neill; Darragh Reen for Dan Goggin; James O’Connor for Dara Devine; Eamon O’Neill for Timmy Culloty.
Annual Mass Our annual mass for club members with special remembrance of our deceased members will take place in the clubhouse on Thursday November 21st at 8pm. All are welcome.
Munster Semi Final Na Gaeil will play Michael Cusacks of Clare in the Premier Junior Munster Semi Final in Austin Stack Park on Saturday next at 1pm in what is another historic outing for the club.
Please come out and support our senior squad. This is a great opportunity for all Na Gaeil under age teams to come out and support their heroes. Looking forward to seeing you all there on Saturday for what will be a great occasion for our club.
Congrats Congratulations to former Na Gaeil star Colm Lyons who won a Junior County Football Championship with his adopted club Douglas of Cork recently, starring at centre half back. Well done Colm.
Race Night A date for your diary. On Saturday 30th November we are holding an all sponsored Race Night to finance our increasingly expanding Club both on and off the field of play. It is a special year for the club with the senior team being crowned Premier Junior Champions in May.
They now look forward to the first round of the Munster Championship in November with a tilt at the Cork County Champions. This will bring a new but welcome expense.
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. There will be a prize for the best dressed lady and gent at the event. There will also be Tote facilities. The night is always a great social occasion in the Club. Be part of it.
Sympathy We extend our sincere sympathy to the family of Cathy Stack of Shanakill who died during the week. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.
AGM Na Gaeil AGM will be held in the clubhouse on Friday December 6th at 8pm. All members are welcome to attend. All motions should be handed in by now.
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 €2,500 took place on Thursday evening last. Numbers drawn were 3, 5, 17, 24. There was no winner. €50 winners were Liam Culloty, C/O Na Gaeil and Geraldine O’Mahony, Cúl Doire. €25 winners were Mary Slattery, Rahoonane, Vincent Reidy, Myra Daly, Derrylea and Derek Gibson Limerick. 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.
Clothes Collection There is now a Clothes Collection Bin situated in Na Gaeil car park.
