Cullion 1-10
Southern Gaels 1-0
Wednesday, April 5, saw an historic first for Southern Gaels as the club’s first ever adult camogie team took to the main pitch in Páirc Chiaráin, Athlone to face Cullion in their first match of the league.
With great support in attendance the team stepped up with an excellent display despite not getting the result that they wanted. They certainly performed much better than expected considering it was the first game of camogie ever for half of the starting team.
High praise followed the match as supporters congratulated the team on their skill levels and it became clear as the game progressed that the squad is more than capable of performing at the league standard with much potential for improvement being evident throughout the game.
Laura Donnellan got the all important first score for the club in the second half with a well taken goal. The whole team performed well on the night and the club is looking forward to the participation of its juvenile teams shortly.
The team lined out as follows - Caroline Fitzgerald, Sarah McNamara, Elaine O’Daly, Sarah Carter, Claire Doyle, Laura Donnellan, Lisa Ann Roche, Eimear Galvin, Natasha Galvin, Jillian Begley, Kayleigh McCoy, Grace McGlynn, Ciara Murphy, Aoife Ní Leocháin and Áine Galvin. Subs on the night were Róisín Ní Dhuibhir, Abi Joyce, Shelley Nee and Amy Quinn.
Thanks to mentors Gearóid Ó Duibhir, Áine Coen and Eoin Crosbie for their input.
ACHL Division Two
Southern Gaels started their ACHL Division Two league campaign with two matches during the last week. On Thursday they played Delvin but were defeated on a scoreline of 3-18 to 0-18, while on Sunday morning they played Raharney and recorded a well merited win on a scoreline of 1-16 to 1-7. There was a total of 25 players on duty over both games.
On Thursday against Delvin the side put in a tremendous first half and led by 0-13 to 1-7. However, a more experienced Delvin side hit a brace of goals midway through the half to ease to victory. Gael’s man of the match was Cian Geary with twelve points including two from play.
On Sunday, the side led by 1-9 to 0-3 at half time but closed out the game in the second half with some fine points from Fionn Dowd. With an emphasis on youth, players such as Johnny Martin, Conn O’Hara, Luke Sylvester and Eoin Hardiman continue to impress.
U15s Qualify for Feile Final
Southern Gaels advanced to the Division 3 Féile Final in Cusack Park on Easter Monday, but were unfortunate to taste defeat to Fr Daltons on 3-1 to 1-1 scoreline.
In the qualifying fixtures, they defeated Fr Daltons 3-4 to 1-5 and St Brigids on a scoreline of 1-6 to 0-2.
The players for the qualification matches were Thomas Daly, Finn McCormack, Daniel Nugent, Eoghan Brett, Jack Dowling, Aaron Hardiman, Conleth Feeney, Oisín O Donoghue, Anthony Carroll King (Captain ), Dara Geary (2-9 ), Darragh Bradley (0-1 ), Fiachra Feeney, Eoghan Joyce, Thomas Herron, Eoin Whelan, Peter Bourke (2-0 ), Daniel Crosbie and Sam Meegan.
Under 15 League
Southern Gaels 1-4 Cullion 6-11
Our Under 15s played their first match of the year last week on a damp, cold and windy evening. They played against the wind in the first half and found it hard to get to grips with the conditions. However, the effort and enthusiasm of all the players was exceptional on the night. The players available for the match came up against a strong panel Cullion squad who travelled from Mullingar.
Cullion took control of the game in the first half and their big players moved the ball well leading to some great scores. However, the home team made the visitors battle hard for every ball and Cullion really had to earn every score. Gaels managed just one point in the first half but played confidence with the elements in the second half battling harder and it showed on the score board as they racked up 1-3 to Cullion’s 2-4.
Southern Gaels - Darragh Bradley (Captain ), Daniel Crosbie, Aaron Hardiman, Finn McCormack, Eoghan Brett, Alex O Donovan, Jack Dowling, Oisín O Donoghue, Oisín O Connor (0-1 ), Ódhran Mitchell (0-1 ), Anthony Carroll King, Dara Geary (1-2 ), Eoghan Joyce, Thomas Herron, Eoin Whelan.
