Na Gaeil GAA Club News

Seniors    Congratulations to our senior team that won the Division Four – Play Off Final on Sunday against Fossa in Milltown. They now go up to Division Three as outright champions which is a great achievement and a fitting end to what has been a wonderful season for this team. Proceedings got under way at 2.30pm on a winter’s day in which conditions were perfect for football.

Full forward Mike Griffin opened the scoring for Na Gaeil with a well taken point in the 1st minute. Fossa quickly followed up with a point from a free and a point from play. Darragh Carmody pointed a 40 metre free for Na Gaeil on 7 minutes. Ian McCarthy hit a sweet shot for the corner of the Fossa net but it was saved on the line at the last minute by the Fossa no. 4 Anthony Wharton.

They broke down the field and hit a rasper of a shot towards the corner of the Na Gaeil net but goalkeeper Timmy Culloty brought off a magnificent save. Na Gaeil’s Dan O’Connor scored a point in the 10th minute followed by a point from Fossa. Then Ian McCarthy stepped up to the plate and scored two great points for Na Gaeil. Darragh Carmody and Diarmaid Herlihy chipped in with one each and now Na Gaeil was really in the driving seat and on top in all sectors. Na Gaeil 0-7; Fossa 0-3 after 21 minutes of play.

But for the remainder of the half Na Gaeil lost its shape and allowed Fossa back into the game. They scored 1-02 without reply and were leading by four points at the interval. Half time score: Na Gaeil 0-07; Fossa 2-05.

Na Gaeil came out a different team in the 2nd half and began to eat into Fossa’s lead. Na Gaeil’s no. 12 Kieran Donovan and wing back Eoin Doody scored a point each on the re-start followed by two more from corner forward Diarmaid Herlihy. Midfielder Jack Barry scored a great point after surging forward and now Na Gaeil were ahead by one.

Fossa had a pointed free in the 12th minute but then Na Gaeil introduced Dylan Seymour. What an inspired substitution as he scored two wonderful points minutes after coming on to put Na Gaeil two in front. Ian McCarthy put over the insurance point for Na Gaeil on 29 minutes. Fossa had a pointed free just before the final whistle. Final Score Na Gaeil 0-15; Fossa 2-07.

There were great performances in defence from goalkeeper Timmy Culloty, Eoin Doody, Kieran Dineen, Andrew Barry and substitute Colm Lyons. In midfield Dan and Jack were solid all through. Up front Ian McCarthy pulled the strings on the forty and was ably assisted by Darragh Carmody, Seamie O Neill, Diarmaid Herlihy and substitute Dylan Seymour.

Well done the backroom team of Donie Rooney, Richard Barrett, John Barry and Niall O’Meara who played no small part in this victory. The team and mentors can now look forward to competing in Division Three of the County League next year.

Team: Timmy Culloty, darragh Sheehy, Kieran Dineen, Dylan Brazil, Eoin Walsh, Andrew Barry, Eoin Doody(0-1), Jack Barry(0-1), Dan O’Connor(0-1),Seamie O’Neill, Ian McCarthy(0-3),Kieran O’Donovan(0-1),Diarmuid Herlihy(0-3), Mike Griffin(0-1), Darragh Carmody(0-2). Subs: Colm Lyons for Eoin Walsh; Jamie Lowham for Seamie O’Neill; Dylan Seymour(0-2) for Kieran Donovan; Paul Daly for Diarmaid Herlihy.

Na Gaeil U 6 players looking very happy after being presented with their medals by Kerry Minor stars Diarmuid o Connor and Ryan O Neill in the clubhouse on Sunday evening along with some very happy mentors.

Na Gaeil Race Night     Na Gaeil GAA Club all sponsored Race Night takes place at the Clubhouse this Saturday night November 19th at 8.30 pm. For the first time we will have the big screen in operation giving a real life effect to the horseracing.

Full Tote Facilities will be available on the night. Entry is Free with a Free Draw on the race card. Come in your finery as we have a Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Gent competition along with raffle and spot prizes. A very enjoyable and social night is assured.

Na Gaeil Ladies    Na Gaeil v Castleisland, North Kerry Ladies U16 Div 1

We played Castleisland in Na Gaeil on Sunday morning in the last round of the league. We had to win to be in with a chance to make the League Final v Corca Dhuibhne. We got off to the perfect start with Abi finding Sibeal with a pinpoint pass and Sibeal taking on her player to find the back of the net. Clodagh McHugh then found the net after a great run from Freya. Castleisland came back and scored 5 points before Sibeal laid the ball off to Mary who also hit the back of the net. Castleisland came back again scoring 1.02 before Jadyn scored a point. Just as half time was looming, Castleisland scored a late goal to lead by 3 points at half time.

Castleisland came at us hard at the start of the 2nd half to score 1.02 . Down by 8 points with 20 mins to go, this is where we had to play as a team to try and claw our way back into the game. Jadyn scored our 1st point followed by a free from Meagan. 6 points down. We shifted players around with Clodagh O Connor going into the backs to help Sarah and Freya on the half back line. Eimear, Ria and Aimee started to get tight. Dearbhla and Kay pushed into the forward with Jadyn and Mary in midfield. Sibeal dropped into the half forward line alongside Meagan and Abi. Sibeal, Dearbhla and Mary scored a point apiece to leave us down by 3. Dearbhla got a great ball from Meagan and found the back of the net. Level !! Now with fifteen mins left we had the momentum and we had the fitness to keep going. Sibeal scored 1.01 followed by 3 more points from Dearbhla. Mary and Jadyn finished off the game with a point apiece. Final Score 6.11 to 3.09. Well done to all after a great comeback and we now have the League Final to look forward to.

Team;  Megan Fernane, Ria Walsh, Aimee Kerins, Dearbhla Quirke, Mary O Connell, Sarah Barrett, Jadyn Lucey , Clodagh O Connor, Meagan Sheehy,Erika O Sullivan, Clodagh McHugh, Sibeal Casey, Muire Kingston, Ciara Rath, Brid Sinnott, Emily Crowe, Isabelle Crowe, Freya O Connor,  Caragh O Neill,  Eimear O Sullivan, Maura Adams, Laoise Delahunty, Kay Barry, Abi Casey.

Sympathy    We extend our sincere sympathy to Maria O Neill, to her brothers Seán and Muiris on the death of their mother Eileen Bric recently and also to grandchildren Eamon,Seamie, Eoin and Tadhg and to their father Ned who is our current auditor and also played with the club. May she rest in peace.

Annual Mass   Our annual mass for club members with special remembrance of our deceased members took place in the clubhouse on Thursday November 10th at 8.30pm. There was a good crowd present representing many of our deceased members. Chairperson Tim Lynch welcomed everybody on the night and thanked them for attending. We extend a special thank you to Fr. Tadhg Fitzgerald of St John’s for his lovely celebration of the mass and the wonderful homily he gave on the night.

AGM    The AGM of Na Gaeil Club will take place in the clubhouse on Friday November 25th at 9.00pm.

Scór na nÓg    The County Final of Scór na nÓg was held last Friday night in the CYMS Hall in Killorglin and Na Gaeil was represented in 2 categories – the Aithriseoireacht (recitation/storytelling) and the Léiriú (drama).

Barry Sugrue was first up. He told the story of a poor misfortunate attempt to bring home milk from the creamery in his hat, and had the audience in stitches!! And along with Joshua Roche, Liam Óg Kingston, Dearbhla Quirke, Aine O Sullivan and Jack Costelloe he took part in our dramatic contribution entitled The Matchmaker!

This is a hilarious piece which revolves around efforts to find husbands for twins Mary and Margaret and was well received by an appreciative crowd!! Barry was very unfortunate not to be placed in the Aithriseoireacht but the Léiriú was successful and now goes on to the Munster semi final which will be held in Cashel, Co Tipperary on Sunday 11th December.

Many thanks to those parents who travelled, in very inclement weather, to support us and to all the above named kids who put in a lot of work over the last few weeks to be ready for last Friday night. Last, but by no means least, thanks to Mary Quirke, who wrote the Matchmaker and without whom there would be no Na Gaeil Léiriú!!

Christy Nealon Award    Congratulations to Denis Sugrue who received the Christy Nealon Juvenile Person of the Year Award on Sunday night in the clubhouse. Juvenile chairperson Michael Lynch Jnr. praised Denis for his wonderful work with U6 and U 8 players during the past year and his wonderful dedication to the club. A very worthy winner indeed. Well done Denis.

Wedding Bells    We wish one of our senior stars Seamie O Neill and the love of his life Susan the very best of luck on their Wedding Day which takes place this Friday. Hope you have a wonderful day and a very happy life together.

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 its winter schedule:  Saturday mornings at 10am from the clubhouse. 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 €6,000 took place on Tuesday evening last. Numbers drawn were 13, 21, 23, 28.  There was no winner.  €50 winners were Kieran O’Donovan, Meadowlands and Bridget Culloty, Alderwood Road. €25 winners were Padraig Quille, Killarney, Margaret Crean, Racecourse Lawn, John Keating, Bateman’s Green and Con Murphy, Oakpark Demesne. Next week’s lotto is worth €6,100. 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 use 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.