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Na Gaeil captain Eoin Doody lifts the cup after his team’s Munster Intermediate Club Final victory over Corofin in Mallow on Sunday.
Munster Final A great victory by Na Gaeil in the Munster Intermediate Club Football Final in Mallow on Sunday, defeating Corofin of Clare by a wide margin in the end. But it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Killeen side with Corofin really putting it up to them in the first half.
The Clare side won the throw in and 30 seconds later their full forward Jamie Malone had them on the scoreboard. Gearóid Cahill pointed a free for them two minutes later. Four minutes in, Diarmuid O’Connor who was operating at full forward cut through the Corofin defence and sent a rasper past goalkeeper Luke Neylon to settle his team.
Darragh Carmody and Eoin Doody followed up with two further points. But Corofin responded with a pointed free from Gearóid Cahill and a point from his brother Diarmuid. Dan Goggin fired one over for Na Gaeil to leave them two up at the first water break. Na Gaeil 1-03; Corofin: 0-04.
On the resumption, Diarmuid O’Connor who was causing all sorts of problems for the opposition cut through the Corofin defence once more. But this time passed the ball across the square, into the path of the inrushing Jack Bourke, who deftly palmed it into the Corofin net. Darragh Carmody pointed a free in the 22nd minute for a foul on Diarmuid O’Connor to increase their lead to 6. But that was as good as it got for Na Gaeil with the Clare side thundering back into the game. They won a lot of possession and ran at Na Gaeil, reeling off three points without reply. Two came from the boot of the in-form Jamie Malone and one from Gearóid Kelly, to reduce the deficit to three at the break. Na Gaeil 2-04; Corofin: 0-07.
Na Gaeil made some astute positional switches before the throw in, bringing Diarmuid O’Connor to midfield and putting Stefan Okunbor back on danger man Jamie Malone. Eoin Doody also moved up into an attacking role. These changes worked a treat and Na Gaeil started the half like men possessed. Just after 30 seconds young Jack Sheehan had the ball in the Corofin net, after good approach work by Fergal Barry. Sheehan pointed a minute later, followed by a point from Darragh Carmody. Gearóid Kelly scored a point at the other end for Corofin. Then the flood gates opened with Na Gaeil taking complete control in all sectors. Points came thick and fast through Darragh Carmody, James O’Connor, Dan Goggin and then, another great goal from the young Jack Sheehan in the 37th minute. Two minutes later Darragh Carmody netted a penalty after a leg block in the Corofin square, to put the final outcome beyond doubt and enable Na Gaeil management to run their bench. Jack Bourke, Dan Goggin and Darragh Reen pointed before the water break to leave Na Gaeil 19 points ahead on a score line of Na Gaeil: 5-12; Corofin: 0-08.
Corofin had a good spell at the start of the final quarter scoring the next four points on the trot, with Gearóid Cahill pointing three close in frees and Jamie Malone pointing from play. Darragh Carmody pointed in the 56th minute and then a minute later a speculative shot from him deceived the keeper and ended in the back of the Corofin net. Corofin were awarded a penalty at the other end, again for a leg block, which centre back Damien O’Loughlin converted. Jack Barry and Darragh Carmody put two further points on the scoreboard for Na Gaeil before Limerick referee, Jonathan Hayes blew the final whistle. Final score: Na Gaeil: 6-15; Corofin: 1-12. Another historic day for the club winning their first Munster Intermediate Club title. Vice chairperson of the Munster Council Tim Murphy presented the cup to proud Na Gaeil captain, Eoin Doody much to the delight of our huge band of travelling supporters. There’s great credit due to the whole panel of players and management team for their dedication and enthusiasm and for the way they turned things around in the 3rdquarter after a rather sluggish opening half. We can now look forward to an All Ireland semi final tie against Ulster champions, Steelstown Brian Óg’s of Derry in two week’s time with the venue yet to be decided. Well done to all involved.
Team: Devon Burns, Enda O’Connor, Niall O’Mahony, Damien Bourke, Fergal Barry, Eoin Doody(0-01), Andrew Barry, Jack Barry(0-01), Stefan Okunbor, James O’Connor(0-01), Dan Goggin(0-3), Jack Sheehan(2-02), Darragh Carmody(2-05), Diarmuid O’Connor(1-0), Jack Bourke(1-01). Subs: Eoin O’Neill for Eoin Doody; Darragh Reen(0-01) for Dan Goggin; Kieran O’Donovan for Andrew Barry; Eoin Walsh for Stefan Okunbor; Ger O’Connor for James O’Connor.
Bobble Hats Na Gaeil bobble hats and car flags are now on sale in the clubhouse and in Byrnes Spar, Oakpark. Bsure to deck yourself out in the green and white in preparation for the All Ireland semi final.
Congratulations We congratulate Gneeveguilla on a great victory over Tipperary champions Ballina in the Munster Junior Club football final in Mallow on Sunday. We wish them all the best in the All Ireland series.
Best of Luck We wish Kilmoyley the best of luck when they take on Banagher of Derry in the All Ireland Intermediate Club hurling semi final in the Connacht Centre of excellence on Sunday next.
Austin Stacks Unfortunately, our near neighbours Austin Stacks didn’t have the rub of the green on Sunday in the Munster Senior Club Final and went down to St. Finbarr’s of Cork by just two points.
While they will be disappointed, they can look back on a great year for the club and look forward with great hope for the future. We wish them all the best.
Sympathy Na Gaeil GAA Club offers its sincere sympathy to the family of Ashling Murphy, whose life was so brutally taken in Tullamore last week. She was a talented camogie player with Kilcormac Killoughey and also a talented musician.
It was fitting that there was a minute’s silence for Ashling before our Munster Intermediate Final in Mallow on Sunday. We also offer our condolences to Ashling’s colleagues in Durrow National School, to her friends and the wider community. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.
AGM As the Covid 19 Omicron virus is still prevalent in our community Na Gaeil CLG will be holding its AGM virtually on Thursday January 20th at 8pm.
We ask that if you are a Club Member and wish to be part of this AGM that you send your email address to our club secretary John Keating at the email address: secretary.nagaeil.kerry@gaa.ie by Monday, January 17th.
We appreciate this is not ideal for some members but we ask that players and younger members assist their relatives and friends to join. Nominations for positions, or motions should have been lodged by December 30th.
Lotto Our Lotto draw was held on Tuesday last, January 11th in the clubhouse at 7.30pm. Numbers drawn were: 8, 11, 23, 28. There was no winner. €20 Lucky Dip winners were: Shane O’Brien, Michelle Mulcair, Tim Coffey, Charlie & Monica Fitzell and John & Eileen Barry. Next week’s jackpot is €6,250.
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 and 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.ie and buy your ticket today. If you’re not in you can’t win!
