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Return To Training Everybody in Na Gaeil is delighted and excited about the return to training of our Juvenile Academy this week. All age groups will return on a phased basis during the course of the week and will be informed by their coaches of the time slot allocated to them. All training will be carried out within the Covid -19 guidelines as laid out by the powers that be in GAA Headquarters in conjunction with NEPHET so rest assured that all the children will be put through their paces in a happy and safe environment. Club chairperson Tim Lynch Jnr and Coiste na nÓg chairperson Colm O’Súilleabháin extend a warm welcome back to all the children, their parents, mentors and coaches and wish them all an enjoyable and fruitful season over the summer months.
Lotto Re-launch Our Lotto is being re-launched online on Tuesday April 27th after a year’s long suspension. We are asking everybody involved with the club to please give it your support as it is our only means of fundraising in the present climate. Just go to www.nagaeil.ie and click on the lotto icon to buy a ticket.
Sympathy We extend our sincere sympathy to Grainne and Frank Hayes and family on the sad passing of Grainne’s sister Sheila O’Regan of Ardagh, Co. Limerick and formerly of Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.
Súil Siar County Novice Football Final Replay: Sunday October 12th 1986: The headline in the Kerryman was “Na Gaeil Score a Famous Victory” Having taken a six point lead ten minutes from the end Na Gaeil seemed to be heading for a comfortable victory in this County Novice Championship Football Final replay at Killorglin, but Renard staged a spirited revival that had the Tralee side’s supporters on the edge right to the end..
It wasn’t a great game of football, and there were too many attempts at refinements that don’t belong in this grade of football, but there was no lack of effort from either side, and the first half was so close that even neutrals in the attendance must have enjoyed the fluctuating trend of the exchanges. Since the Kerry team began to enjoy such success with what is termed possession football, there has been an unfortunate tendency amongst players of all age-groups to try and imitate this particular style, instead of playing to their limitations and getting the simple things right as a priority. Thus, on Sunday virtually every player who won possession insisted on hopping the ball instead of releasing it quickly and the invited tackle led to scrappy free-ridden periods which were frustrating to watch.
However, on a day when Na Gaeil made their first breakthrough in adult ranks it would be churlish to criticize the standard displayed or to play down their fine team effort. They started with a flourish which saw them go 1-02 ahead inside six minutes, the goal coming from Charlie O’Sullivan. It was a disastrous start for the South Kerry men but they refused to allow themselves to be rattled and after John Kelly had opened their account with a point in the tenth minute, John Monaghan stole in for a goal a minute later, when he fisted the break from a Diarmuid O’Sullivan free to the net. Two minutes later John Clifford had the teams level and Renard actually went ahead entering the second quarter, thanks to a point from Brendan O’Shea. James Sugrue who was Renard’s most effective operator throughout, went past two defenders to extend his side’s lead by another point. .
But by half time the Tralee men were back within a point of their rivals at 1-05 to 1-04. Indeed, Na Gaeil might have been in front if Tony Flavin had connected properly with a ground ball in front of a yawning net four minutes from the interval. However, Renard also had the ball in the Tralee net, being whistled back for an infringement. With only a point between the sides it was obvious that the fresh breeze which, getting stronger with the passing minutes would be a help to Na Gaeil in the second half, although it never grew stiff enough to be offered as an excuse for the South Kerry men. Within two minutes of the restart, Charlie O’Sullivan had Na Gaeil on level terms and five minutes later they went ahead. The same player pointed a free after Mossie Kelly had been penalized for over-carrying.
The turning point came in the 41st minute when Charlie O’Sullivan chased in a bouncing ball which deceived the backs and he just got there ahead of the advancing goalkeeper to slip it to the net. Four points down now Renard looked like they might be overwhelmed, and two further points by substitute Seán Coffey and one by Neily O’Sullivan, to which Diarmuid O’Sullivan replied with just one, left the Tralee men six points ahead with ten minutes to play.
However, the lion-hearted James Sugrue revived his side with a great burst which resulted in a Renard goal, as the Tralee defence got itself into all kinds of tangles and there were suddenly distinct prospects the game could go to extra time. However, a point by John Hegarty four minutes from time provided a valuable insurance score for Na Gaeil. And although Brendan O’Shea replied with a point from a free in the final minute, the honours were safely in the hands of the Tralee men. Na Gaeil will undoubtedly hail this as a fine team effort, but the experience of Neily O’Sullivan was a valuable asset in the early stages and players such as full back Brendan Murphy, a son of former Kerry star Seamus, Shane McDonnell, Gerry Carmody, Seán Coffey, John Hegarty, Tom Tobin, and Charlie O’Sullivan must also take great credit for their roles in the victory. James Sugrue gave a tremendously whole-hearted display for the losers, as did Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Team captain Mossie Kelly, Robert Wharton, John Monaghan, Brendan O’Shea and John Joe Wharton.
Na Gaeil: G. Buckley, D. Buckley, B. Murphy, G. O’Leary, S. McDonnell, N. O’Neill, G. Carmody, M. Mitchell, N. McCoy, J. Hegarty(0-01), N. O’Sullivan(0-01), A. McCarthy, T. Tobin(0-04), T. Flavin, C. O’Sullivan(2-03). Subs: S. Coffey(0-01) for C. O’Sullivan; C. O’Donoghue for N. O’Neill. Referee: T. O’Connor (Lispole).
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.
Clothes Collection There is now a Clothes Collection Bin situated in Na Gaeil car park for use by all members of the public.
