Barna GAA Notes Sept 28th
Barna GAA Club are this week celebrating a huge boost to the parish
promotion of Gaelic football , when our Under 13 Team finished the
season on a another high by winning the 2004 City League. Strange name
really as it really is the West Board League competition by beating
rivals Micheal Breathnachs by the score of 2-8 to 0-7, at Spideal to
culminate an unbeaten run in this competition.
This ambitious young team , were also League Champions at Under 12 and
are already now looking forward to the big at Under age the Under 14 Na
Feile competitions, a competition, in which we lost the Galway County
Final this year to Monivea.
This game last week was played under a strong breeze condition and, with
Breathnachs winning the toss, choose of course to take the early
advantage and coming up half time were leading by five points. Five
points may not seem a great lead playing with the strong breeze , but
all Barna Defenders showed why they are champions, by standing resolute
in the face of constant Breathnachs pressure. James Keane the Barna
Goalkeeper was strong as an Ox and made numerous fine saves between the
posts. The turning point in this game was a brilliant goal scored by
Brian McNamara , just before half time that left Barna trailing by just
two points, as headed for the dressing room. This is young McNamra’s who
resides in Gleann Na Coille, east of Barna Parish, second season playing
for the club and, what an addition he is as he was a start last year as
well at Under 12.
In the second half as often happens, the Breeze eased and did not
provide Barna with the same advantage that Breathnachs lads had in the
first half. Barna however with the fine goal now on the scoreboard ,
never lost the momentum and continued to build on their tally and ran
out comfortable winner by the score of 2-8 to 0-7 . Corner Forward
Padraig O’Grainne, son of the Manager Sean , who hails from the Mayo
Gaeltacht of Tourmakeady scored 1-2 and the young Francis McCrudden ,
again a new acquisition from Belfast, scoring four points from frees.
Other points from play, came from Ger Hanley and Evan McSweeney.
Star performance, apart from those mentioned above also came from, John
NcHugh, whose grandfather played for Galway in the fifties, Dara
Hession, Jack Dowling and Sean Concannon in defence, Ger Hanley was well
supported by Aengus O’Sulleabhain at Midfield. This team are a credit to
the entire Gaelic football catchment area of Barna from Cappagh Road
over to Padraicins of Furbo, with both the Barna and Furbo villages
equally represented on this fine panel of players.
The Team returned from neighbouring An Spideal , to a grand reception
meal and refreshments, hosted by Paidraicins in Furbo
The Team was as follows, James Keane, Stephen McComiskey, Dara Hession,
Ronan Butler, John McHugh, Jack Dowling, Sean Conconnan, Aengus
O’Suilleabhain, Ger Hanley, Barry Kennedy, Francis McCrudden, Caoimhin
O’Cualain, Brian McNamara, Evan McSweeney and Pardraig O’Grainne, ( Sub
Sam Concannon )
The Ladies Junior Football panel are holding a fund raising Pub Quiz
night this Thurs Sept 30th at Barna Golf and Country Club, all are
welcome. Tables of four is 20 euro, lots of prizes , kindly donated by
sponsors. This will be the last of a series of fund raisers for the
Ladies heading for the GAA tournament on the October Bank Holiday
week-end. Competition is scheduled for an 8.00 pm start.
The Under 12 Girls side last at the Semi final stage , again to Tuam
Stars whom they also lost out too in the Championship Semi Final
The Under 12 Boys Team lost in the A Division to Moycullen in the Corn
Ui Chaddain Cup, a tournament Barna won last year. The final Score was
1-7 to 0-8, a two point deficit. With two round of games remaining in
the League, they will need victories in both to qualify for the finals.
The Under 17 Tournament is scheduled to begin this coming week-end.
The Barna Lotto Jackpot was not won when numbers 3,8,19 and 22 were
pulled from the drum. However there were just one Match three winner,
namely Declan Faherty of an Spideal. The Jackpot is now at 3,750 euro
with Donnellys of Barna scheduled to hold the draw on Sunday Next.
Good luck to the Galway Ladies Football Team as the endeavor to win
their first ever All Ireland Senior Championship. Its been a great year
for the ladies, whom we are proud off regardless of the result against
Dublin, who are in their secod final in a row.
Finally commiserations to our Mayo Club members and readers of Barna
Notes on their defeat to an inspired Kerry team in Croke Park last
Sunday in the All Ireland Final.