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Seniors Na Gaeil played Castleisland Desmonds in Killeen in Round 5 of the County League on Friday evening. Playing with the aid of the breeze Desmonds were out of the traps first and dominated the early exchanges, scoring the first two points through Adam O’Donoghue and Graham O’Connor. But the tide turned five minutes in when goal bound Jack Bourke was up ended in the large parallelogram and a penalty was awarded to Na Gaeil, which Darragh Carmody duly dispatched to the Desmonds net. Na Gaeil now took a stranglehold on proceedings with the in-form Darragh Reen getting the next score followed by points from Darragh Carmody and Tadhg Reen. Desmonds pulled one back with a well taken point from their corner forward Graham O’Connor to leave Na Gaeil a goal ahead the water break on a scoreline of 1-03 to 0-03. Desmonds started the 2ndquarter brightly with a point from Adam O’Donoghue and a pointed 45 form their goalkeeper Stephen Bartlett. Influential Na Gaeil midfielder Andrew Barry had to retire injured at this stage which was a blow to the home side. Na Gaeil’s Darragh Carmody and Desmonds’ Tom Lynch exchanged points before the lively Jack Bourke had the final say firing over a lovely point for the home side on the stroke of half time to leave Na Gaeil ahead by two. Na Gaeil: 1-05; Desmonds: 0-06.
Darragh Carmody got the first score of the 2nd half pointing a 30m free three minutes in for a foul on Darragh Reen, but Desmonds responded with a point from Adam O’Donoghue. Due to Desmonds indiscipline in defence Na Gaeil were awarded another close in free which Darragh Carmody duly pointed. Tadhg Reen fired over his second point of the evening on 7 minutes. Na Gaeil were now four ahead and looking comfortable. But Desmonds won the next Na Gaeil kick out and worked the ball down the left wing. Adam O’Donoghue sent a peach of a pass across the square to the unmarked Tomás Lynch and he blasted the ball to the Na Gaeil net giving Devon Burns no chance. Darragh Reen, who was tormenting the Desmonds defence with his scintillating runs through the middle, scored the next point to leave the sides all square at 1-09apiece at the second water break. On the resumption Desmonds won the ball around the middle. It was off loaded to Luca Brosnan, who made a surging run through the Na Gaeil defence and blasted the ball to the back of the net to put them a goal ahead with twelve minutes left to play. At this stage Na Gaeil management decided to run their bench giving many young players their first taste of senior football. They did not disappoint and Na Gaeil powered back into the game. Darragh Carmody pointed from play to leave two between them. The defining score of the half came with six minutes of normal time left. Jack Bourke for Na Gaeil won a good ball in the corner. He slipped his marker and sent a precision pass across the square, setting it up for the in rushing Kieran O’Donovan to palm the ball to the Desmonds net. Tomás Lynch pulled one back for Desmonds on 27 minutes to level matters once again. Desmonds created many scoring opportunities in the final minutes but surprisingly went for goals when they could have taken their points. The Na Gaeil defence stoutly defended their attempts at goal and at the other end they were much more clinical. They scored three points in quick succession through Ger O’Connor, man of the match Darragh Reen and a pointed 45 from goalkeeper Devon Burns. Final score: Na Gaeil: 2-12; Desmonds: 2-09. Na Gaeil defence played brilliantly on the night with Enda O’Connor and Ruairí O’Sullivan excellent in the half back line. Dan O’ Connor was a power-house at midfield while the Reen brothers Fergal Barry were bang in form in the half forward line. Jamie Lowham put in a sterling performance on his return at full forward where he was flanked by the hard working Jack Bourke and Darragh Carmody. All the subs introduced played well with Ger O’Connor in particular very impressive.
Na Gaeil: Devon Burns(0-01), Dara Sheehy, Luke Barrett, Damien Bourke, Kieran O’Donovan, Enda O’Connor, Ruairi O’Sullivan, Dan O’Connor, Andrew Barry, Fergal Barry, Darragh Reen(0-02), Tadhg Reen(0-02), Jack Bourke(0-01), Jamie Lowham, Darragh Carmody(1-05), Subs: Ger O’Connor(0-01) for Andrew Barry; Jimmí O Súilleabháin for Dan O’Connor; Liam Óg Kingston for Dara Sheehy; Seamus Looney for Jamie Lowham; Adrian Quirke for Jack Bourke.
Division 5 Na Gaeil were beaten by Desmonds on Wednesday evening in Round 5 of the County League
U15 After a couple of weeks without a game our U15 team will host Ballymac on Wednesday at 7pmin Killeen. In this group also are John Mitchels, Kerins O’Rahillys and Castlegregory. Training continues on Monday, Friday, and Sunday.
Lotto Our Lotto draw was held on Tuesday last July 19th. Numbers drawn were: 3, 6, 12, 16. There was no winner of the jackpot. €20 Lucky Dip winners were: Niall Lyons, Oakpark, Declan Healy, Killarney, Donal Daly, Meadowlands, Damien Ginty, Oakpark and Jimmy O’Kelly, Woodlands. Next week’s jackpot is €5,000.
Tea and Coffee Teas, coffees, hot chocolate, drinks and snacks are served every Sunday morning on our outdoor terrace at the clubhouse during our Juvenile Academy sessions. We look forward to seeing you there!
Clothes Collection There is now a Clothes Collection Bin situated in Na Gaeil car park for use by all members of the public.
