Mike Griffin on the ball for Na Gaeil in the Premier Junior Final. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Junior Final There was a big crowd in Killarney on Sunday for the Premier Junior Football Final between Na Gaeil and Glenbeigh/Glencar. Na Gaeil started brightly and had three points on the board after after six minutes: two from Darragh Carmody and one from Diarmaid Herlihy. Glenbeigh/Glencar quickly replied with two points to leave the score Na Gaeil 0-3 Glenbeigh/Glencar 0-2 after 15 minutes.
Na Gaeil team was playing well but were not converting their opportunities into scores. Darragh Carmody fired over a thirty metre free for Na Gaeil and Gavin O’Grady pointed for Glenbeigh/Glencar. Heading for the closing stages of the half Darran O’Sullivan goaled for Glenbeigh/Glencar totally against the run of play and Gavin O’Grady followed up with a point to leave the half time score Na Gaeil 0-4 Glenbeigh/Glencar 1-4.
Darragh Carmody had the first two points of the second half to bring it back to a one point game. Two players from Glenbeigh/Glencar were shown red cards in the 11th and 13th minute of the half and now it looked as if Na Gaeil might press on. But that was not the case. Glenbeigh/Glencar pulled everybody behind the ball and made it difficult for Na Gaeil to break down their defence. They then attacked on the break and were awarded a free in the 17th minute which Gavin O’Grady converted.
Darran O’Sullivan broke through the Na Gaeil defence in the 23rd minute and scored a point to leave three between the sides. Things were looking ominous for Na Gaeil at this late stage in the game. But they dug deep. Mike Griffin scored from play and Darragh Carmody pointed a free to leave the minimum between the sides.
At the death when it looked like it was not going to be Na Gaeil’s day Jamie Lowham intercepted a pass coming out of the Glenbeigh/Glencar defence. He off loaded it to Dave Culloty who fired over a great point with his left leg from all of forty yards to level the match. The final whistle was blown after the kick out and Na Gaeil will live to fight another day.
Well done to all the players for the manner in which they fought back to earn the draw. They left everything out on the pitch and we wish them all the best in the replay which takes place on Sunday October 30th. We extend a big thank you to all our supporters who travelled to Killarney to cheer on the team. It was great to see so many of you there and hear you in full voice. Thanks also to the bar and kitchen staff in the clubhouse that served the food to the team and mentors on their return.
Team: Timmy Culloty, Eoghain Sheehy, Kieran Dineen, Eoin Walsh, Eoin O’Neill, Andrew Barry, Dave Culloty (0-1), Jack Barry, Dan O’Connor, Seamie O’Neill, Ian McCarthy, Kieran O’Donovan, Darragh Carmody (0-6), Mike Griffin (0-1), Diarmaid Herlihy (0-1). Subs: Shane Carey for Seamie O’Neill, Stefan Okunbor for Dan O’Connor, Jamie Lowham for Ian McCarthy Colm Lyons for Eoin Walsh.
Na Gaeil Ladies Mná Na Gaeil Mothers and Others All Ireland Blitz, Portmarnock
We played on Saturday in Portmarnock in the annual All Ireland Mothers and Others Blitz in Portmarnock, Dubin.
Our 1st game was against Erin go Bragh from Dublin. We were very nervous playing this with a lot of misplaced passes and wide kicks. Susan managed to get our 1st point but Erin were getting in behind us only for Anna to make some wonderful saves to keep us in the game but in the end we lost by a point.
Our 2nd game was against Mohill from Leitrim. We played much better with a goal from Susan and 2 points from Yvonne. Deirdre, Cait, Blaithnaid and Janice were very composed in the backline. Our forwards Mary, Melissa, Helen Sugrue and Heather were being marked tightly and given no room to shoot. With the last kick of the game from Mohill, they equalised.
Our 3rd game was against Kilcavan from Laois. We were more composed with Noelle scoring 3 goals along with points from Caroline and Mags. With our Backs Cait, Siobhan, Mary Ross and Janice not letting any player have sight of goals, we won the game. We went into the 4th game v Eire Og from Clare. We started well with Heather setting up Caroline for a point and Helen laying the ball off to Mags for her point. But our game got disrupted when we lost Yvonne when she sprained her ankle and Noelle dislocated her finger. Eire Og picked off a couple of points and we found ourselves down by 2 points. Amy won the ball in the half forward line and found Mags with the pass. Mags made the run and hit the back of the net. Deirdre, Siobhan, Mary Ross and Helen Cooper left nothing past them for the final few minutes and we won by a point.
Our last game was against Eastern Harps from Sligo. This was a tough game with our forwards Amy, Mary Sheehy and Melissa marked tightly. Caroline, Susan and Mags were working hard in midfield with Deirdre, Janice, Cait and Siobhan making sure that no Harps player got a sight on Anna’s goals. Mags scored a point after Helen Cooper found her with a great pass. Caroline got our last point to help finsih off our Blitz with a win. Well done to all our players who played so well in Dublin and to those that were unable to make it to the Blitz and a speedy recovery to two girls that got injuries and a special well done to those that had a swim in Dublin Bay after the Blitz.
Team: Anna Sheehy, Siobhan Quigley, Deirdre Lynch, Cait Griffin, Blaithnaid Coakley, Helen Cooper, Susan Fernane, Janice McHugh, Caroline Dillane, Marguerite Maunsell, Melissa Hurley, Mary Sheehy, Amy Slattery, Yvonne Eggleston, Noelle Kingston, Mary Ross, Heather Shanahan, Helen Sugrue.
Sympathy We extend our deepest sympathy to Agnes Sheehy and her family on the death of her mother Mary Nagle in Liscannor, Co. Clare last week. May she rest in peace.
Race Night : A date for your diary. On Saturday 19th November at 8.30pm our Annual Race Night will be held in the Clubhouse. We ask all members, parents and supporters to purchase a horse from Cub Officers or from the Bar over the coming weeks. The night is always a great social occasion in the Club. Be part of it.
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
Na Gaeil Cycling Club Na Gaeil Cycling Club is 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 required. Contact Eddie at 0876791460 for more info.
Lotto The draw for the jackpot of €5,600 took place on Tuesday evening last. Numbers drawn were 11, 20, 25, 26. There was no winner. €50 winners were Louise Duffy, Derrylea and Gerard Aherne, Forge Cross. €25 winners were Timmy Sheehan, Woodlands, David Fitzgerald, Oakfield Square, Conor Kavanagh, Clogherbrien and Barry O’Donoghue, Clogherbrien.Next week’s lotto is worth €5,700. All are welcome for the draw in the club each Tuesday night 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.
