Na Fianna GAA Football Club Notes

U21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Na Fianna U21 Footballers suffered an early championship exit as they came out on the wrong side of a single point margin against Shamrocks in their preliminary round Championship encounter in Geashill last Friday evening on a scoreline of 0-10 to 1-08 in a game played in the worst possible weather conditions throughout with storm force wind a driving rain blowing straight down the field. Shamrocks had the strong wind advantage in the first half and were first off the mark with a couple of early points before landing the sucker punch in the 5^th minute by scoring the only goal when the ball was dropped in the square and was pulled on first time by the Shamrocks forward to the net. Na Fianna responded immediately with their opening point from Richie Reynolds but the remainder of the half saw Shamrocks add another 4 points to which Na Fianna replied with a pointed free from Paddy Rigney. This saw Shamrocks lead at the break by 1-06 to 0-02. The second half started very brightly for Na Fianna as Gavin Shiels and Paddy Rigney added a brace of points apiece inside the first 5 minutes to cut the deficit to 3 points. The next 20 minutes saw both sides hit over 2 points apiece including the score of the game for Na Fianna when Jack Keogh’s shot from around the 45m line inside his own half sailed all the way over the bar. Na Fianna managed to cut the defecit to the single point in the remaining 5 minutes with the final 2 scores from Niall Dempsey and Gary Martin but despite having a number of chances could just not get the equalising score. The result ends Na Fianna’s involvement in the U21 championship for this year having just returned to the grade after a number of years absence.

NA FIANNA: Adam Kinahan, Paddy Arnold, Brian Corcoran, Shane Corcoran, Jack Keogh (0-01), Allen Reynolds, Gary Martin (0-01), Gavin Sheils (0-02), Niall Mahon, Keith Kirwan, Paddy Rigney (0-03), Richie Reynolds (0-01), Niall Dempsey (0-01), Jason Darby (0-01), Liam Guinan

SUB: Tom Fitzpatrick (for Keith Kirwan)

U16 FOOTBALL TRAINING

Na Fianna U16 Football Training starts up for this year on Sunday 20^th February at 12 Noon in Ballinagar to begin preparations for the Intercounty League which commences on Sunday 05^th March. Training will continue thereafter on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings. All players and intending players are asked to attend training.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership for club players has been fixed for the coming year at €15 for the first child and €10 for the second and subsequent child from each family. Membership can be paid to the relevant team managers when training re-commences.