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Bríd Ni Mhathúna presents a new set of jerseys to the Na Gaeil U12 team on behalf of the Meadowlands Hotel.
Seniors Na Gaeil played An Ghaeltacht in the quarter final of the Intermediate Football Championship in Austin Stack Park on Saturday evening in what were perfect conditions for football. Notable absentees were county footballers Jack Barry and Brian Ó Beaglaoigh both out through injury and Dan Goggin of Na Gaeil who was involved with Causeway in the County hurling final.
An Ghaeltacht were first out of the blocks with a well taken point from their number 13 Seamus Ó Muircheartaigh after a minute of play. Diarmuid O’Connor responded for Na Gaeil when he sent one over with his left in the third minute.
Na Gaeil’s Dara Devine could have gone for goal but opted to fist it over the bar and it came off the upright and went wide in the fifth minute. In the ninth minute Ryan O’Neill sent a ball across An Ghaeltacht’s square to Jamie Lowham but over cooked the pass and the ball was cleared.
Two goal scoring chances missed by Na Gaeil. Eoin O’Neill pointed for Na Gaeil in the 10th minute after a good run from the half forward line to put them two ahead. Nearing the end of the first quarter Padraig Óg Ó Sé made a surging run forward and off loaded to Tomás Ó Sé who sent a rocket to the back of the Na Gaeil net.
But Na Gaeil responded immediately. Andrew Barry gathered from the kick out and went on one of his trade mark solo runs into An Ghaeltacht territory.
He gave a peach of a pass to the unmarked Tomás Ó hAiniféin who had cleverly slipped inside the An Ghaeltacht defence and he cooly slotted the ball low to the right of Tomás Mac an tSaoir into the An Ghaeltacht net.
It was no more than O hAiniféin deserved for the huge work rate he was putting in. Na Gaeil were really on top at this stage and were winning all the breaks around the middle. Darragh Carmody slotted over a free followed by a point from Dara Devine. At the other end a shot by An Ghaeltacht came off the post and was cleared. Dan O’Connor pointed to put them four ahead.
But An Ghaeltacht responded with a point from Tomás Ó Sé and a pointed free from Eanna Ó Conchúir. On 30 minutes Andrew Barry who was a thorn in the An Ghaeltacht side was hauled down by Eanna Ó Conchúir and he was sin binned for ten minutes.
Darragh Carmody duly obliged with the resultant free. Eoin O’Neill scored his second point for Na Gaeil followed by a point by P.J. Mac Láimh for An Ghaeltacht. With 34 minutes gone Na Gaeil worked the ball up the field.
Full back Niall O’Mahony found himself in acres of space and carried the ball to the edge of the An Ghaeltacht square. He unleashed a rasper of a shot which came off the crossbar. It bounced upwards into the path of Jamie Lowham and he punched it to the net.
Seamus Ó Muircheartaigh pointed a free for An Ghaeltacht to leave the score at the interval: Na Gaeil: 2-07; An Ghaeltacht: 1-05.
Na Gaeil got the perfect start to the 2nd half with a pointed free from Darragh Carmody and a good point from play from substitute Darragh Reen. But five minutes in Eanna Ó Conchúir rattled the back of the Na Gaeil net after he was put through by the marauding Pádraig Óg Ó Sé.
They followed up with two further points from Ruaidhraí Ó Beaglaoigh, one from a free and one from play to bring it back to a two point game. It was end to end stuff at this stage with both sides trying to stamp their authority on the game.
Darragh Carmody settled the Na Gaeil nerves in the 8th minute of the half with his fourth pointed free of the evening. The next score did not come until the 49th minute when Na Gaeil corner back Damien Bourke made a great run forward and slotted over to make it a four point game once again. An Ghaeltacht knew they had to respond.
Ruaidhraí Ó Beaglaoigh pointed with ten minutes left. Éanna Ó Concúir pointed a free to make it a two point game nearing full time. There were to be four minutes of injury time played. Ruaidhraí Ó Beaglaoigh pointed another free in the 66th minute to reduce the margin to the minimum with injury time up.
Disaster nearly struck when Na Gaeil keeper Devon Burns fluffed the kick out, the only mistake he made all day. It was gathered by Tomás Ó Sé who twisted and turned trying to shoot for goal but he was surrounded by a host of Na Gaeil defenders and was eventually whistled for over carrying.
Na Gaeil took the free and the referee blew full time much to the delight of the Na Gaeil team and supporters. It was a terrific display by Na Gaeil. They stuck to their task from start to finish and thoroughly deserved their victory in the end. Well done to Jerome Stack and his management team for a job well done. Final score: Na Gaeil: 2-11; An Ghaeltacht: 2-10.
Team: Devon Burns, Ryan O’Neill, Niall O’Mahony, Damien Bourke(0-01), Fergal Barry, Andrew Barry, Eoin Doody, Diarmuid O’Connor(0-01), Dan O’Connor(0-01), James O’Connor, Tomás O hAiniféin(1-0), Eoin O’Neill(0-02), Darragh Carmody(0-04), Jamie Lowham(1-0), Dara Devine(0-01). Subs: Darragh Reen(0-01) for Dan O’Connor; Diarmaid Herlihy for Jamie Lowham; Jack Sheehan for Dara Devine; Kieran O’Donovan for Eoin O’Neill; Tadhg Lynch for James O’Connor.
U14 Last Sunday our U14 lads played Ballyduff in Ballyduff in the County League Div. 3 Final. We got off to a bright start with three early points. Ballyduff hit back with a goal to level matters. However it was all Na Gaeil from then until halftime as we added 1-10 to our score and kept Ballyduff scoreless. Ballyduff started the 2nd half better and added 1-1 to cut the deficit to 9 points. For a moment it looked like we were in trouble but our lads didn’t panic and kept taking their chances. Final score was Na Gaeil 5-19, Ballyduff 4-3. That may be our last competitive game of the season but J.J. will continue to have training on Wednesdays and Sundays.
U12 Na Gaeil White team travelled to Killorglin on Sunday morning to take on Laune Rangers in our final game of the County League. Na Gaeil were winners on their previous encounter but today Laune Rangers were the stronger team and won the game. Sunday evening two of our U12 teams were hosted by Ardfert in a challenge game. There was some great football displayed and an enjoyable evening was had by all
U10 It was a busy week of football for our u 10 boys. On Thursday we travelled with our ten year old players to take on Churchill in the Spa and on Sunday our 9 year old players did the same. We thank Churchill for hosting both games. We look forward to more Go Games next weekend when we take on St. Pat’s of Blennerville.
Split the Bucket Well done to Susan O’Keeffe who won €220 in our first Split the Bucket draw. The draw took place in the clubhouse on Saturday evening where senior manager Jerome Stack pulled out the winning envelope. As of now buckets are in Byrnes Spar in Oakpark, in Ray’s Loaded Lunches in Rock Street and in the clubhouse. We thank you for your support. The next draw will take place in the clubhouse on Saturday October 9th. If you’re not in you can’t win!
Congrats Congratulations to former Na Gaeil player Darragh O’Connell who captained Cuala to victory over Ballyboden-St. Enda’s in the Dublin senior Hurling Championship on Sunday. What a great achievement for the Abbeydorney man.
Mothers and Others Our Mná Na Gaeil football team is up and running again with training on Tuesday and Saturday evenings. Gaelic for Mothers and Others is for those who may have retired from football and also for those that have never played football. It’s a fun way of making new friends, having a bit of fun, getting a bit fit and learning some football skills. There is also the social side of it which is probably the most important part. Everyone is welcome from the young to the more experienced.
Clubhouse Open The clubhouse is open for food on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Club members can order a toasted sandwich, chips and salad plus a couple of more options for €9. Last food orders are at 8.45pm. This weekend went very well and there is very positive feedback from club members that availed of the service. Hope to see you there next weekend.
Clubhouse The clubhouse is closed for all outside activities and the gym will also be closed until there is further clarification from GAA Headquarters as to when they can re-open. This means that our Monday night bingo, Tuesday night lotto and Wednesday night card playing are suspended until then as well as all other activities that normally took place there on a weekly basis.
Clothes Collection There is now a Clothes Collection Bin situated in Na Gaeil car park for use by all members of the public.
