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Darragh Carmody scored 13 points for Na Gaeil in their Intermediate semi-final clash with Desmonds in Austin Stack Park on Saturday evening.
Seniors Na Gaeil played Castleisland Desmonds in the County Intermediate Championship semi-final under lights in Austin Stack Park on Saturday evening in front of a large crowd. The rain had eased off but underfoot conditions were very slippery.
Darragh Carmody whose performance over the hour was top class opened the scoring and had two points on the board inside the first seven minutes. Na Gaeil then took their foot off the pedal and Desmonds thundered into the game.
Tadhg O’Connell got Desmonds off the mark two minutes later and they scored the next four points, the other three coming from Luka Brosnan, Mícheál Walsh and a pointed free from full forward Cian W. O’Connor. That left Desmonds two ahead at the first water break on a scoreline of Na Gaeil; 0-02; Desmonds: 0-04. The Castleisland side scored first after the water break, a point from their no. 6 Tadhg O’Shea on twenty minutes.
But Na Gaeil then took control of matters in most sectors with Darragh Carmody slotting over a 30 metre free after Enda O’Connor was fouled after a good run up-field. Darragh Carmody again pointed in the 25th and 27th minute before Seán Lynch pulled one back for Desmonds. Dan Goggin was pulling the strings on the 40 and delivering a lot of good ball into the forwards.
This was turning out to be the Darragh Carmody show and he again pointed from play in the 28th minute, his sixth of the half. Diarmuid O’Connor sent a lovely ball over the bar from 40 metres out in the left wing before the referee Padraig O’Sullivan blew the short whistle.
The Killeen side was now one ahead at the break. Na Gaeil: 0-07; Desmonds: 0-06. Thomas Hickey sent over a free for Desmonds on the re-start to level matters up and then scored a beauty from play to go one point ahead. Desmonds were almost through for a goal shortly afterwards but Na Gaeil full backs cleared their lines. They were now winning the lion’s share of possession with their defence playing excellently and were totally on top at midfield, but were not reflecting it on the scoreboard. They slowly began to steady the ship and find their range.
That man again Darragh Carmody continued where he left off in the first half. He fired over two frees for fouls on Dan Goggin and Jack Sheehan and also pointed from play to stretch their lead out to three.
Dan Goggin pointed on 11minutes after good work by Enda O’Connor. Darragh Carmody slotted another one over, a minute later after winning a poor Desmonds kick-out. Desmonds responded with a pointed free from their keeper Steve Bartlett. Fifteen minutes into the half came the defining score. Darragh Carmody won possession out on the right wing.
He spotted Diarmuid O’Connor running through the middle and sent him an inch perfect pass. Diarmuid continued his run and slotted the ball into the tight hand corner of the Desmonds net, giving keeper Steve Bartlett no chance. P.J. Curtin scored for the Castleisland side just before the 2nd water break.
But Na Gaeil were now 5 points ahead: Na Gaeil: 1-12; Desmonds: 0-10. From there to the end it was all Na Gaeil as the challenge from Desmonds totally faded. Darragh Carmody scored the next three on the trot, one coming from a free for a foul on the hard working Jack Sheehan.
James O’Connor fired over the next two and Jack Bourke pointed a close in free before full back Niall O’Mahony made a sally up the field to slot one over from 20 metres out. Dominik Finnegan scored for Desmonds in the dying minutes, but Na Gaeil ran out easy winners in the end on a scoreline of Na Gaeil: 1-19; Desmonds: 0-11.
Na Gaeil put in a good 2nd half performance after a rather sluggish first half. There were great performances by players all over the field including Andrew Barry and Enda O’Connor in defence, Jack and Diarmuid at midfield and Dan Goggin and James O’Connor in the forwards. But corner forward Darragh Carmody has to be singled out for special mention for his awesome display over the hour.
He tormented his marker from start to finish and kept the scoreboard ticking over in the first half when scores were hard to come by. Thirteen points in a game must be a record for a player in a Na Gaeil jersey.
A truly amazing performance. It’s a great achievement for the club to reach the Intermediate Championship Final for the first time in their history so well done to all involved. They will play Beaufort, who are no strangers to them at this stage. No date has been finalized yet but it will not be played for a number of weeks.
Team: Devon Burns, Enda O’Connor, Niall O’Mahony, Damien Bourke, Fergal Barry, Andrew Barry, Eoin Doody, Jack Barry, Diarmuid O’Connor(1-02), Kieran O’Donovan, Dan Goggin(0-01), James O’Connor(0-02), Tomás O’hAiniféin, Jamie Lowham, Darragh Carmody(0-13, 0-06fr). Subs: Jack Sheehan for Jamie Lowham, Rory O’Sullivan for Tomás O’hAiniféin; Jack Bourke(0-01) for Kieran O’Donovan; Eoin Walsh for Dan Goggin; Cian Devine for Darragh Carmody.
Na Gaeil Race Night Na Gaeil Annual Night at the Races takes place virtually and on Facebook Live at the clubhouse, on Friday November 19th. The event follows on from our first virtual race night last December, which was a huge success.
This year we plan to build on that by making the event bigger, better and even more exciting and entertaining. We will have a great night of racing action with the Na Gaeil Gold Cup and a first prize of €1,000, a feature event.
Now we want to give you the chance of owning a horse in our races on the night. By a horse for yourself or form a Racing Syndicate with your family and friends to be in with a chance of winning some great cash prizes.
There will be prizes for the best dressed lady and gent, along with some special guest interviews. Race horses are priced at €50 each. Here is your chance to be part of probably the best virtual and live race night yet. All monies raised will go back into the running of the club at all levels. We look forward to your support.
Bingo Na Gaeil Bingo Committee is delighted to announce the return of our popular bingo every Monday night at Na Gaeil Clubhouse, at the earlier starting time of 8pm. We have Split the Bucket on the night also.
Masks have to be worn entering and attending Bingo and proof of Covid Vaccine has to be shown to committee members. Social distancing must be observed at all times. A bus service to and from the bingo is available. Just ring 087 281 7577.
Win a House Win a house in Killarney with Kerry GAA. For €100 you could win a stunning new build A-rated 3 bedroom house superbly located just off the Park Road in Killarney. Kerry GAA is also running numerous other promotional draws throughout the fundraising campaign.
The earlier you purchase your “Win a House in Killarney” ticket (or tickets!) the more draws you will be entered into. Remember all tickets purchased before the deadline for each promotional draw will entitle you to be entered into all promotional draws thereafter. Support your club and support your county. Go to kerrygaa.ie and buy your ticket today. If you’re not in you can’t win!
Lotto Our Lotto draw was held on Tuesday last, October 12th in the clubhouse at 9.30pm. Numbers drawn were: 17, 18, 21, 22. There was no winner of the jackpot. €20 Lucky Dip winners were Mary Horgan, Seán Kelly, Gene & Madeline Kelly, John O’Brien and Shane O’Brien. Next week’s jackpot is €5,550.
Clothes Collection There is now a Clothes Collection Bin situated in Na Gaeil car park for use by all members of the public.
