Seniors Na Gaeil Seniors travelled to Farranfore on Saturday evening last to play Firies in Round 8 of the County Football League.
The weather was damp and misty making the playing surface very greasy. Despite this Na Gaeil started brightly and were totally on top for the first 15 minutes reeling off the first five points without reply.
The scorers were Ian McCarthy (free), Diarmaid Herlihy, Eoin Walsh and Seamie O Neill (2). But Firies slowly got into their stride and began to win more possession. They struck for a goal in the 16th minute and then pointed a free to leave the score Na Gaeil 0-5 Firies 1-1. Eoin walsh scored a good point for Na Gaeil but then Firies scored 3 on the trot to go one up after 25 minutes.
Ger O’Connor replaced the injured Jamie Lowham and marked his entrance on to the field by firing over a great point to level up matters. In the 29th minute Eoin O Neill cut through the Firies defence and hit a great effort for a goal. The shot was saved by the Firies keeper but the ball fell into the path of Diarmaid Herlihy who picked it up and finished it to the net from close range. Half time score Na Gaeil 1-7 Firies 1-4.
In the 2nd half Na Gaeil picked up where they left off and began to dominate the game in all sectors. Dan O Connor was a colossus at no.9 and his fielding was a joy to behold. He was ably assisted by Eoin O Neill who was also very dominant.
This ensured a good supply of ball to the forwards who did not disappoint. They scored the first 3 points of the half. Seamie O Neill scored after 4 minutes. Then Diarmaid Herlihy fired over one before the in-form Seamie O Neill scored his 4th point of the game.
Firies put one over on 15 minutes to leave the score Na Gaeil 1-10 Firies 1-5. Dylan Seymour and Ger O Connor put over two more for Na Gaeil. Then Eoin O Neil thundered through on goal and crashed the ball to the back of the Firies net with 4 minutes remaining. Ian McCarthy had the last score of the half, a pointed free to leave the full time score Na Gaeil 2-13 Firies 1-5.
It was a great team display overall. Timmy was very solid between the posts and his kick outs were excellent. The defence was very solid and limited Firies to just 1 point in the 2nd half. Midfield was on top all through and the forwards played well as a unit, showed well for the ball and created some great scores.
Team: Timmy Culloty, Darragh Sheehy, Dylan Brazil, Paul Daly, Eoghain Sheehy, David Culloty, Colm Lyons, Eoin O Neill (1-0) Dan O Connor, Dylan Seymour (0-1), Ian McCarthy (0-2), Eoin Walsh (0-2), Diarmaid Herlihy (1-2), Jamie Lowham, Seamie O Neill (0-4). Subs: Ger O Connor (0-2) For Jamie Lowham; Jordan Murphy for Eoin Walsh; John Hayes for Diarmaid Herlihy; Rob Murphy for Colm Lyons; Eoin Doody for Paul Daly; Cormac Sheehy for Dan O Connor.
U 14 Na Gaeil U 14’s hosted neighbours Austin Stacks in round six of the Central Region league last Monday evening in Killeen. The teams swapped scores in the opening minutes before Austin Stacks got the first goal of the game to lead 1-2 to 0-2 after ten minutes.
The opening pattern continued for the next ten minutes as the team scored two points each before Na Gaeil got their first goal of the game to draw level after twenty minutes.
Both teams got another two points in the next ten minutes to go level for the fifth time on the half, before Na Gaeil got their second goal on the stroke of half time. The score after an exciting first half was Na Gaeil 2-6, Austin Stacks 1-6.
Austin Stacks started the second half in determined fashion and scored two early points to leave a single score between the teams. Na Gaeil got the next score of the half but Stacks struck back scoring a goal and two points to open a three point lead.
However the lead did not last long as a third goal from Na Gaeil meant that the teams were level for the sixth time in the game.
This goal inspired the home team and they got the next three scores to lead by three points as the game entered the final ten minutes. Both teams scored another two points before Stacks got their third goal in the closing minutes to draw level.
Na Gaeil had one final chance to win the game but were unable to convert and the game finished Na Gaeil 3-12, Austin Stacks 3-12.
This was a very exciting game with some excellent scores from both sides. The teams were level seven times during the match and there was never more than a single score between the teams.
Both teams go into the final round of the league with excellent chances of making the semi-finals. Na Gaeil travel to Laune Rangers on Monday evening and a win will guarantee a semi-final place.
Panel: S Daly, S Ryan, E O’Connor, J O’Sullivan, G Sheehy, T Walsh, L Kingston, T O Hainiféin, J Sheehan, J McCarthy, J Bourke, J Fitzgerald, D Burns, T Reen, M Burke, P Walsh, J Roche, D Henrickson, E Sheehy, C O’Neill, K O’Connor, O Maunsell.
U 12 Training continues Thursday 6.30. Central Region for U12 boys begins August 8th.
U 10 Boys We’re taking part in the John Mitchels Blitz next Saturday 23rd. Look out for a text from JJ with all the details. Please ensure you bring a lunch and a drink as the blitz goes on for a few hours. Please note there won’t be any training this Thursday night 21st as we are due to play Ardfert in a challenge game on Wednesday evening.
U8 Great training session on Sunday last. Next training Thursday 6.30pm.Next Saturday 23rd July we will participate in the John Mitchells monster blitz. There will be a marathon 5 games from 10 am to 2.30pm. Please bring a packed lunch. The club will send out text message during the week giving you all updates. See you all Thursday evening.
U 6 Catching the ball was the main skill practised at last Sunday’s session. All boys and girls are making huge improvements and the better they’re getting the more they’re enjoying their training. Well done all!
U 10 Girls Na Gaeil girls U10’s participated in the annual North Kerry ladies U10’s blitz held in Duagh last Saturday. The team was a mix of some of our more experienced players with some of our U8’s who were playing in their first blitz. We played 3 matches in total. Our first two games were against Abbeydorney and the hosts Duagh and both these games were very evenly matched.
Our final game was against fellow Tralee team Austin Stacks and after a good battle, Stacks scored a couple of late goals to pull away in the end. We had a big panel on the day and everyone had a good run out. Thanks to the parents who helped out on the day and to the Duagh club for hosting the blitz.
U 13 Girls We played at home on Tuesday evening in the opening round of the U13 Championship v Castlegregory. We had a tough game with Castle defending well throughout the game.
Scores were tight in the 1st half where scores from Freya, Muire and Ciara gave us a slender lead. Eimear marshalled her defence for the 2nd half with Adelini in front of her breaking down the play. Sarah was getting forward as we were trying to finish the game against a resolute Castle team. Sarah got another point before she found Siena with a sublime pass, where upon Siena was brought down in the box for a penalty.
Siena stepped up and put it in the corner. Kayleigh, Ailbhe, Caoilinn and Cara were now defending holding onto our lead with Emma Dewey and Emma Savage coming out to help our midfielders hold onto the ball. We finished the game with a win despite a last minute flurry from Castlegregory. We now have Firies in the next Round on Tuesday at 7.00.
Well done to Jadyn Lucey and the Kerry U16 team who face Dublin in the All Ireland Final on Wednesday the 27th July
Executive Meeting There will be an Executive Meeting in the clubhouse this Thursday evening July 21st at 9.00pm. All officers are asked to attend.
Cash For Clubs Na Gaeil is now registered in the ‘Topaz Cash for Clubs’ initiative. Any club Members who are also Topaz card holders are able to allocate tokens to the Club and help raise funds
25th Anniversary This year is the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the Clubhouse in Na Gaeil. To mark the occasion there will be a night of celebration in the clubhouse on Saturday August 13th. It will be a unique opportunity for players, mentors, coaches and club members past and present to catch up and reminisce. This is a night not to be missed. Mark it in your diary.
Na Gaeil Cycle Na Gaeil Annual Cycle will take place on Saturday August 27th. All are welcome to take part in what will be a great day’s fun and exercise.
Na Gaeil Cycling Club Na Gaeil Cycling Club are now up and running with their full summer schedule: Monday and Wednesday nights at 6.15pm and Saturday mornings at 10am.ALL ARE WELCOME, high vis essential
Fir na Gaeil Light Football Training for Men who have retired from playing football and for those that have not played and would like to try it out. Very little skill is required. We train on Monday and Friday nights from 7.30 to 8.30pm. This is a great way to keep fit with light training, ball games and a bit of a laugh. Contact Eddie at 0876791460 for more info.
Mná Na Gaeil , We are a Gaelic for Mothers and Others team who come together and do a bit of exercise, football training and socialising. Anyone who would like to join are most welcome, No skills are required, just a good attitude and a sense for fun. We are out in the field on Wednesday nights and Saturday evenings. Boots or Runners are all that are required. Contact Eddie at 0876791460 for more info.
Lotto The draw for the jackpot of €4,300 took place on Tuesday evening last. Numbers drawn were 2, 14, 21, 26. There was no winner. €50 winners were Kieran Dineen, Abbeydorney and Barry Sugrue, Batemans Green. €25 winners were Jane Ryan, Ard na Lí, Seán O Connor C/O Na Gaeil, Mícheál Herlihy, Clogherbrien and Bridie Moriarty, Dún Síon, Dingle. Next week’s lotto is worth €4,400 .
All welcome for draw in club each Tuesday at 10.30pm.
Bingo Bingo is on every Monday night at 8.30pm sharp. We have prize money of over €1,000 guaranteed every week with a mini jackpot that increases fortnightly when not won. A door prize and a half-time raffle with lovely prizes will also take place every week. . A bus service is available at 087 2817577. You can ring this number for pick up and drop off. 100% of the funds raised go back directly into the club.
The bingo is run on a total voluntary basis and a huge thank you to all the parents who offer their time to run this vital fundraiser for the club. If anyone wants to donate a spot prize for our weekly bingo raffle, please leave it at the club house and mark it “Bingo”. Thanks to all our patrons who support this event on a weekly basis.
Cards: A card game is held every Wednesday night in the clubhouse. This is a very sociable occasion where you meet your friends for a great night’s entertainment and relaxation. Everyone from novice to senior will enjoy a relaxing game of 45.
