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Christmas Greetings We wish everybody involved in Na Gaeil Club, including officers, coaches, mentors, players, supporters, parents, patrons and visitors to our club a very happy, holy and peaceful Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year.
Munster Semi Final Na Gaeil made the long journey to Templetouhy, in north Tipperary on Sunday to play Drom & Inch in the Munster Club Intermediate semi final.
It looked like the starting time for the game would have to be pushed out as a cloud of fog had enveloped the pitch, but thankfully it cleared just before the official throw in time of 1.30pm.
Na Gaeil were without the services of their captain Eoin Doody and the O’Connor brothers Diarmuid and Enda.
The better known names on the Drom & Inch side were Tipperary hurling team captain, All Star and Player of the Year, Seamus Callanan and Tipperary footballer Emmett Moloney.
The game started in whirlwind fashion with both teams registering wides before Drom & Inch got off the mark with a fine point from their roaming corner forward Podge Campion after 2 minutes of play.
But Dan Goggin leveled for Na Gaeil when he scored a point from out on the right a few minutes later. Drom & Inch were a big strong team and used their physicality to good effect. One sensed from the very beginning that this was going to be a real dog fight and that’s what it turned out to be.
Na Gaeil did settle though and Darragh Carmody kicked over two frees in the 9th and 10th minute. No. 13 Jimmy Mullen pointed a free at the other end for the Tipperary side but Dan Goggin pointed again for Na Gaeil to leave them two points ahead at the first water break, on a score line of 4 points to 2.
Jimmy Mullen pointed a free on the resumption and then Na Gaeil lost Fergal Barry through a black card in the 21st minute.
Drom & Inch were really getting stuck in and were awarded another close in free which Jimmy Mullen duly converted to make the contest all square at 4 points each. Darragh Carmody opened the scoring in this quarter for Na Gaeil when he scored from a mark in the 24thminute, after receiving a good delivery from the hard working Dan Goggin.
Drom & Inch’s Jamie Moloney cut through from midfield to score a great point and level matters again but Darragh Carmody fired over another free for Na Gaeil before the half time whistle for a foul on Dan Goggin.
Na Gaeil went in a point ahead on a score line of 6 points to 5 and knew they were in a battle royal. Thankfully Fergal Barry was back on the field at this stage.
Drom & Inch upped the tempo even more in the 2nd half and threw everything at Na Gaeil. Their persistence paid off with their ace marksman Jimmy Mullen firing over two frees to put them one ahead with 7 minutes of the half played.
Everything was going Drom & Inch’s way and Na Gaeil were finding it difficult to stamp their authority on the game.
Their first score of the half came in the 16th minute when Jack Bourke won a good ball inside and popped it over with his left.
A minute later Darragh Carmody scored a great point from the right corner to leave Na Gaeil one point in front again going into the last water break on a score line of Na gaeil:0-08; Drom & Inch: 0-07. Na Gaeil had regained their composure and really got a grip on proceedings in the final quarter.
Jack Barry and Stefan Okunbor cleaned up in the midfield area and Andrew Barry was commanding the centre of his defence very well. Darragh Carmody pointed yet another free on 21 minutes and substitute Eoin O’Neill pointed a minute later to widen the gap to three.
The defining moment of the game came 23 minutes into the half when Na Gaeil keeper Devon Burns saved a goal bound shot with his out-stretched leg, from substitute Jack Lillis.
Had it gone in it would have been all square and the impetus would be back with the Tipperary outfit.
Instead the ball went straight up the field and Oisin Maunsell gathered a ball he had no right to win. He spotted Darragh Carmody free inside and sent him a peach of a pass, which Darragh rifled to the net past Drom & Inch keeper Shane Hassett, to make it a 6 point game.
Na Gaeil were now firmly in the driving seat with 5 minutes of normal time left. Tempers got a little frayed at this stage with many yellow cards being issued. When calm was eventually restored, 6 minutes of extra time were added on by Clare referee Niall Quinn.
Drom & Inch threw caution to the wind at this stage, pushed everyone up in attack and managed to score 2 points. But it was too little too late and Na Gaeil held out for a hard fought four point victory in the end.
Players, management and supporters will be delighted going into the Christmas break knowing they have a Munster Intermediate Final to look forward to in the New Year when they will play Clare champions Corofin.
Well done to all involved and we extend a big thank you to all our supporters that made the journey to Templetouhy on Sunday.
Team: Devon Burns, Kieran Dineen, Niall O’Mahony, Damien Bourke, Fergal Barry, Andrew Barry, Oisin Maunsell, Jack Barry, Stefan Okunbor, James O’Connor, Dan Goggin(0-02), Darragh Reen, Jack Bourke(0-01), Jack Sheehan, Darragh Carmody(1-06, 3fs,1m). Subs: Kieran O’Donovan for Darragh Reen; Dara Devine for Jack Sheehan; Eoin O’Neill(0-01) for James O’Connor; Rory O’Sullivan for Fergal Barry; Dan O’Connor for Jack Bourke.
Clubhouse Bar In light of the new government restrictions imposed, which state that all bars are required to close at 8pm, and in order to facilitate our customers during these challenging times, Na Gaeil Clubhouse has amended its opening hours for the festive period which are as follows: Monday 20th to Thursday 23rd Dec: 4pm to 8pm; Friday 24th Christmas Eve: 1pm to 8pm; Sunday 26th St. Stephen’s Day: 2pm to 8pm; Monday 27th to Thursday 30th : 4pm to 8pm; Friday 31st New Year’s Eve: 1pm to 8pm; Saturday Jan 1st : 2pm to 8pm. Sunday January 2nd : 2pm to 8pm. Bookings for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are essential as numbers will be limited. Toasted sandwich, chips and coleslaw will be on offer at €7, on Monday to Thursday from 5.30 to 7pm and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 6pm
Christmas Raffle The Bingo Christmas Raffle will be drawn Christmas week and the winners will be contacted. The results will also be posted on our Facebook page. It’s still not too late to enter the draw.
You can buy your tickets in the clubhouse during the next few days as the bar will be open from 4pm to 8pm. 3 tickets cost €5.There are some fabulous prizes on offer. If you’re not in you can’t win.
Na Gaeilgoers It’s Back! Na Gaeilgoers walking / running group is back every Monday and Thursday evening at 7.30pm sharp. Start your fitness journey by walking or running 5km while also getting fresh air and meeting new people.
High vis jackets a must. Route will be around Tralee town and will be explained on the night. Children welcome but must be accompanied by an adult throughout the route.
Please arrive at Na Gaeil and have parked by 7.25pm. Respect social distancing. This event will go ahead unless there is a weather warning. So please come along and join us.
Sympathy Na Gaeil GAA Club would like to extend its sincere sympathy to the O’Connor family on the sad passing of Betty O’Connor of Ballingowan, Tralee last week.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis. We would also like to extend our sincere condolences to the Gill and Tansley families on the recent very sad passing of Con Gill of Listellick North, Tralee. May he rest in peace.
AGM Our club AGM will now take place on Thursday, January 20th 2022 at 8pm. Any motions will have to be submitted to John Keating at secretary.nagaeil.kerry@gaa.ie by Thursday, December 30th 2021.
Lotto Our Lotto draw was held on Tuesday last, December 14th in the clubhouse at 8.30pm. Numbers drawn were: 20, 21, 22, 32. There was no winner. €20 Lucky Dip winners were: Mary O’Mahony, Kay Dillane, Der Reen, Katherine Duggan, Alice Murphy. Next week’s jackpot is €6,000.
Bingo Due to the new closing hour of 8pm for bars and clubs we have no option but to cancel our Monday night bingo until restrictions are eased and things get back to normal again.
We are sorry for any inconvenience caused. Na Gaeil Bingo Committee would like to wish all our patrons a very Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year.
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.ieand buy your ticket today. If you’re not in you can’t win!
