Munster Final Na Gaeil travelled to Mallow on Sunday morning to play in an historic first ever Munster Final against Tipperary Champions CJ Kickhams of Mullinahone.
The game was brought forward almost five hours from 3.45pm to 11am due to the impending arrival of storm Atiyah and this turned out to be a wise move.
As the skies darkened and heavy showers fell the floodlights had to be turned on at the end of the first quarter. Na Gaeil played with the aid of a strong whirling wind in the first half and it took a while for them to come to terms with the difficult playing conditions.
The first score though came in the first minute when Dara Devine pointed a free after Diarmaid Herlihy had been fouled on the 20 metre line.
Eoin Doody fired over a free four minutes later for a foul on Diarmuid O’Connor out on the right of goal. Diarmaid Herlihy pointed from play shortly afterwards followed by a good point from Andrew Barry after a strong run through the centre.
Mullinahone were running at the Na Gaeil defence trying to make inroads towards goal but without much success as the Tralee backs stood firm and diffused attack after attack. Sweeper Eoin O’Neill cut through the centre and pointed from 30 metres with ten minutes of the half left to play.
Kevin Walzer failed to convert a 30 metre free for the CJ Kickhams side which would have put their name on the scoreboard. Na Gaeil struck for their first goal in the 25th minute. Dan O’Connor worked the ball across the Mullinahone square. Diarmuid O’Connor’s shot on goal rebounded off Mullinahone keeper Brendan Kearney but it fell at the feet of Dara Devine and he kicked it along the ground to the left hand corner of the net.
Dan O’Connor pointed from play himself on 27 minutes followed by a Diarmuid O’Connor point after good work by Jack Barry. Clare referee Chris Maguire blew the half time whistle with Na Gaeil ten points to the good on a score line of Na Gaeil 1-07; Mullinahone: 0-00.
Jack Barry opened Na Gaeil’s 2nd half scoring with a well worked point and Dara Devine pointed his 2nd free after another foul on Diarmuid O’Connor.
Things went from bad to worse for Mullinahone when Sean Curran and Colin Kelly were black carded in the 5th and 7th minute of the half. The hard working Diarmuid O’Connor scored the next point after good approach play from Eoin O’Neill. The Na Gaeil defence was again outstanding in this half with Mullinahone failing to make any inroads and still remaining scoreless.
Such was Na Gaeil’s dominance that they began to empty their bench early in this half and give all their allotted quota of six subs a run. Eoin Walsh added to Na Gaeil’s tally after being put through by the eager beaver Dan Goggin. Darragh Reen fed the ball in to Andrew Barry with 22 minutes gone in the half and he crashed it to the roof of the Mullinahone net. It was no more than he deserved after putting in a sterling display at no. 6 over the hour. Two minutes later James O’Connor cut in along the edge of the square and finished low to the opposition net.
Dara Devine pointed another free and Jack Barry fired over again in the final minute. Mullinahone’s captain Kevin Walzer scored his side’s first point in the first minute of added time and the same player crashed a penalty to the roof of the Na Gaeil net a minute later. The penalty was awarded for a foot block by one of the Na Gaeil defenders in the small parallelogram. Timmy Culloty kicked out the ball and the referee blew the full time whistle. Final score: Na Gaeil: 3-13; Mullinahone: 1-01.
Vice Chairperson of the Munster Council Ger Ryan presented the cup to the Na Gaeil captain Eoin Doody to rapturous applause from the huge number of Na Gaeil supporters present. What a historic day for the youngest club in Kerry and the youngest club in Munster to win this trophy.
Great credit must go to the whole Na Gaeil panel for their commitment and dedication throughout the season and to the hard working backroom team of Donie Rooney, Richie Barrett, Kieran O’Shea, Niall O’Meara and Eoin Joy who left no stone unturned in order to achieve this great victory. They had the players in peak physical condition, primed, fit and ready for action. They can now look forward to an All Ireland semi-final clash against Kilmaine from County Mayo in January.
Team: Timmy Culloty, Ryan O’Neill, Kieran Dineen, Damien Bourke, Fergal Barry, Andrew Barry(1-01), Eoin Doody(0-01), Diarmuid O’Connor(0-02), Jack Barry(0-02), Dan O’Connor(0-01), Eoin O’Neill(0-01), Dan Goggin, Diarmaid Herlihy(0-01), Jamie Lowham, Dara Devine(1-03). Subs: Darragh Reen for Jamie Lowham; James O’Connor(1-0) for Dan O’Connor; Eoin Walsh(0-01) for Diarmaid Herlihy; Kieran O’Donovan for Fergal Barry; Shane Fitzgerald for Andrew Barry; Ian McCarthy for Dan Goggin.
Coiste na nÓg AGM The AGM of Na Gaeil Coiste Na nÓg will take place in the clubhouse at 8pm on Thursday December 12th at 8pm. All are welcome.
AGM Na Gaeil AGM was held in the clubhouse on Friday evening last. The following officers were elected: President: Pat O’Connor; Vice President: Donal Leahy; Chairperson: Tim Lynch Jnr. Vice Chairperson: Morgan Sheehy; Secretary: Eamon Browne; Assistant Secretary: John Keating; Treasurer: Cathy Carey; Assistant Treasurer: Conor Kavanagh; PRO: Mícheál Herlihy; Assistant PRO; Tim Lynch Snr. Registrar: Roz Fitzgerald; Assistant Registrar: Denis Sugrue.
Sympathy We extend our sincere sympathy to Paddy O’Connor and family, Oakpark Demesne on the death of his wife Mary Anne in November.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis. We also offer our sincere sympathy to Frances Costello and family, Riverside Drive on the death of her husband Declan recently. May he 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 €2,800 took place on Thursday evening last. Numbers drawn were 4, 15, 21, 28. There was no winner. €50 winners were Mary Slattery, Rahoonane and Jimmy O’Sullivan, Ballyard. €25 winners were James Brosnan, Ballybowler, Dingle, Brendan McCarthy, Racecourse Lawn, James O’Hara, Ardfert and Adrian O’Connor, D.4.. Next week’s jackpot is €2,900. 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.
Clothes Collection There is now a Clothes Collection Bin situated in Na Gaeil car park.
