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Intermediate Semi Final
Na Gaeil’s Intermediate journey came to an end in the Connacht Centre of Excellence on Saturday when they went down to Steelstown Brian Óg’s of Derry after a below par display.
Na Gaeil got the perfect start when Diarmuid O’Connor fielded from the throw in and made one of his trade mark runs through the middle.
He passed the ball to Andrew Barry who cooly slotted it over the bar. But Steelstown responded a minute later when their lively wing forward Ben McCarron pointed a 30m free.
The same player fired over his second free seven minutes later and scored a good point from play on fifteen minutes.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the same at the other end where the Na Gaeil forwards just couldn’t find the posts either from play or from placed balls and the wides just mounted up.
Steelstown were a very pacy side and were running at Na Gaeil at every opportunity. Jack Barry scored a good point in the 18th minute to bring it back to a one point game.
But the defining score came in the 20th minute of the half when Na Gaeil having forced a turnover failed to clear their lines and the ball was picked up by Cahir McMonagle.
He fed it to the in-form Ben McCarron who blasted it past Devon Burns in the Na Gaeil goal, to give them a four point lead. Na Gaeil pulled a score back just before half time when Darragh Carmody pointed a 30m free.
This left the score at the interval: Na Gaeil: 0-03; Steelstown: 1-03.
Again Na Gaeil made the perfect start to the 2nd half when Diarmuid O’Connor and Jack Barry fired over from close range to bring it back to a one point game.
Na Gaeil were in the ascendancy now and had all the play but still failed to convert good scoring opportunities.
Their case was helped further in the 39th minute when Steelstown’s no. 4 Diarmuid Baker received his marching orders after receiving a 2nd yellow for a challenge on Darragh Carmody.
But from there on 14 man Steelstown battened down the hatches and defended ferociously, putting everybody behind the ball. When the opportunity arose, they broke down the field and their full forward Morgan Murphy slotted over a point in the 15th minute.
Ben McCarron pointed a 20m free in the 17th minute to put them 3 ahead once more.
But the hard working Diarmuid O’Connor who was playing out of his skin scored a fine point in the 23rdminute and Darragh Reen fired over another in the 26th minute to bring it back to a one point game once more.
Na Gaeil went on all out attack but found it very difficult to breach a steely Brian Óg’s defence.
In the final minute Steelstown made another one of their fast breaks and Cahir McGonagle found himself one on one with keeper Devon Burns.
Devon had no option but to bring him down and concede a penalty, for which he also received a black card.
Unfortunately for Na Gaeil, as Stefan Okunbor was running back to defend, he fell awkwardly over keeper Devon Burns and dislocated his shoulder.
The game was held up for 20 minutes as the medics attended to him and he was eventually stretchered off the field to the waiting ambulance.
Shawn Duggan replaced the black carded Devon Burns in goal. Steelstown’s McGonagle stepped up and blasted the penalty to the Na Gaeil net giving Shawn Duggan no chance.
The ball was kicked out and referee John Gilmartin from Sligo blew the final whistle.
Final score: Na Gaeil: 0-07; Steelstown Brian Óg’s: 2-06.
It just wasn’t Na Gaeil’s day.
Nothing went right for them and you’ll have days like that. They are bitterly disappointed now, but when the dust settles and things get back to normal, they can look back with pride on what they have achieved this season.
To win the County Intermediate Final at the first time of asking and to be promoted to senior ranks is some achievement. Then go on and win a Munster title is the icing on the cake.
Everyone in the club is very proud of the team and the 2021/2022 season will go down as one of the most successful in the history of the club.
Hats off to the team management of Mark Bourke, Niall Lucey, Mossie Whelan Niall O’Meara and Paul Daly for the tremendous job they have done with this team.
All their hard work has paid off which must be very satisfying for them. We can look forward to next season with hope and anticipation.
Team: Devon Burns, Niall O’Mahony, Damien Bourke(0-01), Fergal Barry Eoin Doody, Andrew Barry, Jack Barry(0-02), Stefan Okunbor, James O’Connor, Dan Goggin, Jack Sheehan, Darragh Carmody(0-01), Diarmuid O’Connor(0-02), Eoin O’Neill. Subs: Jack Bourke for Eoin O’Neill; Tomás O hAiniféin for Dan Goggin; Kieran O’Donovan for Andrew Barry; Darragh Reen(0-01) for James O’Connor; Shawn Duggan for Stefan Okunbor.
Speedy Recovery We wish Stefan Okunbor a speedy recovery after dislocating his shoulder in the All Ireland semi final against Steelstown on Saturday. We hope he will be back to full health in no time.
Congrats We congratulate Tralee Parnells on winning the U21 Hurling Championship title for the first time in their history last week. They defeated Crotta O’Neills by a single point, scoring two late goals to seal an amazing victory.
Well done to our Na Gaeil players who were part of that team: Darragh Reen, the captain, Graham Sheehy, Edward Sheehy, Jack Doyle, Tadhg Reen, Luke Barrett, Enda O’Connor, Darragh Moloney and Ruairí O’Sullivan.
Green C.B.S. Congratulations also to the Green C.B.S on defeating Skibereen at the weekend to reach the Corn Uí Mhuirí final. Liam Óg Kingston and Tadhg Reen are part of the team. We wish them the best of luck in the final in a few weeks’ time.
Juveniles Na Gaeil Juvenile Academy for U7, 9 &11’s have started back training on Sunday, mornings in the MTU Sports Hall from 12 to 1pm.Fáilte roimh cách. For further details ring Colm on 0879080465
Coiste na nÓg AGM Na Gaeil Coiste na nÓg AGM will be held in the clubhouse on Thursday February 3rd at 9pm. Bí ann gan teip.
Best of Luck We wish Kilmoyley the best of luck next Saturday in the All Ireland Intermediate Club Hurling Final in Croke Park where they take on Naas at 5pm. We also send our good wishes to Gneeveguilla in the All Ireland Junior Club Football Final in Croke Park on Sunday where they will be up against Kilmeena of Mayo.
Sympathy Na Gaeil GAA Club would like to offer its sincere sympathy to Christo Murray and family on the recent death of his mother Sheila of St. Brendan’s Park. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.
Lotto Our Lotto draw was held on Tuesday last, January 25th in the clubhouse at 7.30pm. Numbers drawn were: 4, 19, 23, 25. There was no winner. €20 Lucky Dip winners were: Margaret O’Shea, Joseph McGarry, Agnes Sheehy, Teddy Reynolds, Pat Daly. Next week’s jackpot is €6,300.
Bingo The good news is that our Bingo is back on Monday nights at 8pm. According to government guidelines the wearing of masks is still required. We look forward to seeing all our patrons back.
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!
