Na Gaeil 1-16   St. Michaels Foilmore 0-07

Na Gaeil entertained St Michaels Foilmore in Round 7 of the Senior League on Saturday evening in Killeen.  The home side got off to the better start with two points from play in as many minutes from the boot of Mike Griffin and Eoin O Neill.  Bernard Kelly put the visitors on the scoreboard in the third minute with a fine point from play, but was quickly cancelled out by a further point from the on form Mike Griffin in the fourth minute, after a great pass from Shamie O Neill. Diarmuid Herlihy had a fine point from play in the seventh minute and a free followed for St Michaels Foilmore, after a foul on Luke O Sullivan, which was pointed by Bernard Kelly to leave the score 0-04 to 0-02 in favour of Na Gaeil.  On the 12th minute, a great passage of play by St Michaels Foilmore saw another point on the scoreboard after a superb pass to Adrian O Connell. Na Gaeil were finding their form now and the next three points went their way courtesy of Shamie O Neill and two from Darragh Carmody (I free) leaving the score 0-07 to 0-03 in Na Gaeil’s favour. At midfield, Na Gaeil through Eoin O Neill and Dan O Connor were dominating matters at this stage and the gap could have been a lot wider, only for some wayward passing. Bernard Kelly pointed a free in the 21st minute and immediately after a superb catch from Jamie Lowham, who was subsequently fouled, Darragh Carmody pointed the free to leave four between the sides.  A further free from Carmody was cancelled out by a Bernard Kelly point and on half time, a fine effort from Diarmuid Herlihy was rewarded with a point to leave double scores at the break.        Na Gaeil 0-10 St. Michaels 0-05.

The homeside were in full command of the second half and points from Darragh Carmody and Diarmuid Herlihy were followed by a superb goal from Jamie Lowham, after a great run and pass from Diarmuid Herlihy. This left a bridge too far for St Michaels Foimore to cross, with the scoreboard reading 1-12 to 0-05 in favour of Na Gaeil. Jamie scored the next point again from play and Na Gaeil began to call on their subs bench, bringing on Dara Devine, Cian Quirke, Dylan Seymour, Ger O Connor and Paul Nolan.  The first point of the second half for St Michaels Foilmore didn't register until the 54th minute, when Luke O’Sullivan struck between the posts .  A further point from substitute Dara Devine for Na Gaeil was followed by a Bernard Kelly score for St Michaels Foilmore.  However, two further points form Dara Devine and Kieran Dineen left the final score 1-16 to 0-07.

This was a great team performance by Na Gaeil with stars all over the pitch. Timmy Culloty was superb in goals with very accurate and direct kick outs as well as a brilliant save at goal. Jamie Lowham had a great game with a superb goal and some brilliant catching in the full forward line which yielded 2 further points . Donal O Kelly, Andrew Barry and Kieran Dineen were very impressive in the backline, and Eoin O Neil and Dan O Connor dominated at midfield.

Also impressive In the forward line, was Darragh Carmody.and Mike Griffin, who were excellent with some fine points and long range frees . Diarmuid Herlihy was excellent in the inside forward line scoring some fine points and setting up the very important and only goal of the match. Andrew Barry was solid as ever making some excellent bursts up the pitch to support the forward line. Standout player of the day was Donal O Kelly who had a brilliant performance throughout supporting the backs and forwards superbly

St Michaels Foilmore were missing some of their key players which ultimately played a huge part in their overall performance with Bernard Kelly their most impressive player on the day.