Clann na nGael 4-22 Shannon Gaels 1-5
Our Clann na nGael Senior Ladies team sponsored by the Sheraton Hotel Athlone got off to a flying start in the first Round of the Championship. They played Shannon Gaels on Saturday the 25th June at 7pm in Johnstown.
Before the game the team was saddened to hear the news of the untimely bereavement of Tina Kildea. Our deepest sympathies are extended to Larry, Darragh, Emma, Orla and all the family. A minutes silence and a few words from the Club Chairman Declan Rock was held before the commencement of the game.
Unfortunately Shannon Gaels could only field 13 players so straight away the team formation and starting line up had to be changed. However, it did not phase this Clann na nGael squad.
Clann got off to great start with points early on from Caoimhe Lennon and Ciara Galvin. Saoirse Mc Manus gave some excellent passes into Caoimhe Lennon and Ciara Fallon who in turn added to Clanns points tally early in the game. Clanns strong defensive display from Gillian wall and the back line was exceptional putting Shannon Gaels under constant pressure and won every ball in the back line. Emma Harney, Ruth McManus and Lauren McDonnell put great pressure on Shannon Gaels half forward line forcing them to kick wide in the first half. Sinead Farell, Saoirse McManus and Caoimhe Lennon added to the scoreboard before Ciara Galvin in the 20th min kicked the ball off the ground into the top left corner of Shannon Gaels net. Shannon Gaels however responded quickly with a goal of their own. Clann continued to fight back with a brilliant move in the 20th min which started with Shauna Connell won a great kickout in midfield from Aideen Lennon. Shauna found Saoirse Mc Manus in space along the wing, who delievered a perfect ball into Ciara Fallon who fisted the ball nicely over the bar. The half time score Clann 1-16 to 1-03.
Clann started the second half with the same intensity as the first with Ruth Finlass scoring within 3 minutes. Shauna Connell brilliantly intercepted a Shannon Gaels ball in the middle of the field and gave a great pass to Caoimhe Lennon who kicked a lovely point. Clann’s second goal came in the opening ten mins when Therese Lennon found the net and gave the Shannon Gaels goalkeeper no chance of saving it. Ciara Fallon and Ciara Quinn kicked over two great points soon after from play. Clann’s third goal came from long ball from Ruth Finlass down the wing to Therese Lennon who found the net for the second time in the game. Sinead Farrell caused hassle for the Shannon Gaels backline when she flew in past the first defender and then the second to kick the ball into the the top left corner of the net. A few mins later Sinead was causing more havok when she kicked over a lovely point from play. Clann were deserving winners without a doubt and pushed on until the end. Ruth Finlass kicked over Clann’s final point in the last kick of the game. The full time score 4-22 to 1-05.
The Clann line up was:
Eadaoin Lennon, Gillian Wall, Lauren Mc Donnell, Orla O’Neill, Emma Harney, Ruth Mc Manus, Ruth Finlass (0-2), Shauna Connell (0-1), Ciara Fallon (0-3), Saoirse Mc Manus (0-2), Caoimhe Lennon (0-7), Sinead Farrell (1-3), Ciara Galvin ( 1-3)
Subs used: Therese Lennon (2-1) for Ciara Galvin, Ciara Quinn for Saoirse Mc Manus, Leanne O’Brien for Lauren Mc Donnell, Amy Quinn for Ruth Mc Manus, Ciara Nixon for Caoimhe Lennon.
The Senior Ladies will now play Kilbride next Saturday evening the 2nd of July in Johnstown. Kilbride were the only team to beat Clann na nGael in the league so it should be a well contested game.
Under 12 Girls Teams
Under 12 girls play St Ciaran’s in the quarter final on Wednesday 29th June at 7.30pm in St Ciarans. We wish them the best of luck.
Under 14 Boys Teams
The Championship is up and running and our u14s faced a difficult trip to Kilmore to take on Kilmore/Shannon Gaels in the first round last Wednesday. The opposition had demolished all in their path in winning the Division 2 league and the Clann players and management knew that they were facing a battle. Both sides had spells on top, but Clann’s ability to strike for goal proved to be the difference between the sides, with Clann coming out on top on a score line of KSG 2-10 Clann na nGael 5-8. A good solid start to the competition for the Clann boys. Next up is a home game against St Brigids on 30th June.
Our Division 4 Under team face Eire Óg in their first round game in an away trip. Details of the date and time of this fixture are to be confirmed.
Under 16s
The first round U-16 championship game with Castlerea did not go ahead at the weekend. They face Strokestown in the second round in Johnstown next Saturday.
Schools Festival of Football
Pupils and teachers from the schools took part in the Festival of Football blitz in Johnstown last week. Well over one hundred pupils from 4th, 5th and 6th classes played in mixed weather conditions and all seemed to enjoy the event. Many thanks to the volunteers who helped out with refereeing, coaching and co-ordination of the event. A big thanks to the pupils and teachers for participating. We intend to keep this event going to enhance our already strong link to the schools in our parish and provide an opportunity for kids in our catchment area to experience all that is good within the GAA and Clann na nGael.
Community Games
Heartiest congratulations to the Drum/Clonown u10 boys in winning the Community Games gaelic football County title in Ballyleague recently. The boys now represent the County in the Connaught Finals to be held in Ballyleague on Sunday 2nd July. Please support our County champions.
Kelloggs GAA Cúl Camp
Next week sees the start of the Cúl Camp in Johnstown from Monday 4th July til Friday 8th. Online booking is preferred to ensure child will get the gear on the week of the camp, although they will accept applications on the first day. Web page is gaa.ie/kelloggsculcamps.
Once online, instructions are straight forward. All applications go through Cul camp and we are providing our facilities but not directly involved in organising it. The cost is great value for money, given the gear that will be provided. These camps are hugely successful for the GAA throughout the country and we hope there will be a very large turnout in Johnstown!
Tina Kildea R.I.P.
On behalf of Clann na nGael GAA Club, the club wishes to express its deepest sympathy to the Kildea family on the death of Tina Kildea, wife to Larry and mother to Darragh, Emma and Orla. We would like to send our condolences to the family and friends of Martina (Tina) Kildea, who passed away on Saturday.
Tina is the wife of Larry (former Clann player) and mother of Darragh, Emma and Orla – all underage players with the club.
As a mark of respect, there was a minutes silence held before the Ladies Senior Championship match.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
Clann na nGael Lotto
The draw took place in Connaughtons on Sunday 26th of June with a jackpot of €4,800.
The numbers drawn were 3 – 8 – 9 – 25. No winner, match 3 winners:
Kieran Fallon C/O Brian Fallon
Michelle Redmond C/O B.Reilly
Derek Tracey C/O Ollie Colgan
Next week’s jackpot is €5,000 and the draw will be in Monahan’s. Thanks to everyone who supports Clann’s Lotto every week.
Clann na nGael Online
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