The Game 22-05-2016

Minors:
Well done to the lads on a great performance on Fri night last in Monaduff which now guarantees them a semi-final spot, which will take place after the exams.

​The committee would like to once again wish all exam students the very best of luck in their upcoming exams.

For those players not partaking in exams the county board plan running an U17 and U15 over the course of the exams and the trainers will be in contact relating to this shortly.

U16:
The Western Gaels juveniles are the new Division 2 Champions after a thrilling final in Pearse Park on Tuesday evening last. Though the throw In Was delayed, and the lads fell victim to two early goals, they showed great character to rally on. The two goals are ones keeper Eanna McGrath will want to forget but he more than made up for it with some in valuable saves and pin point kick outs later in the game. The gales didn't let this deter the, and thanked to a goal from Oran Kenny, nicely set up by Kian Gilmore, they found themselves a point in-front 15 mins into the game 1-4 to 2-0 up. The later (kian) then netted himself later in the half after a great run through the middle and a personal tally of 1-2,from Rory Howlin seen the Gaels go in at half time 3-7 to 2-2 up.

However the Drumlish/Dromard team started the second half in similar style with a 2-2 blitz of the Gaels defence it's only a solitary point in reply! This was in the melting pot with 15 mins to go in Longford HQ but after a doggie 5 mins of play where neither team really excelled, the Gaels up a gear and kicked and three unanswered points saw them race into a 3 point lead! Both teams exchanged a point a piece but the Western Gaels had done enough to bring the silverware home winning on a score line of 3-12 to 4-05!

Well done to Jimmy, Mark, Seam & PJ and all the lads on a tremendous result! Check out the Twitter and face book pages for photos from the night!

U13:
The Western Gaels will travel to Balinalee to take on Granard/Ballymore and Longford East this coming Thursday. If results go our way we could see progression to the semi final stages to following Monday so best of luck to all!

U12:
The U12s had a challenging game on Friday last 20th away to Longford Slashers, this proved a very worthwhile challenge as we prepare for the upcoming Longford/Leitrim league which begins on Thursday 9th June and also the Longford League which is due to start in July,  we have a panel of 16 for the coming season with a mixture of some players on their final year at A1 and more at this grade for a couple of years which gives the team a nice balance overall, our team on Friday evening was Daniel Gallagher in goals  had a fine game , our full back line of Kielan Ruske, Darragh Campbell & Tessa Tiernan were solid all through, our half back line of Dan Devlin, Ryan Casey & Beau O’ Connor combined well together all through the game, our midfield pairing of Eoin Kinlan & Harry Mulvihill worked tirelessly with great running and each chipping in a with a couple of scores, our half forward line of Rasheed Yeobah, Matthew Hawes & Gavin Nulty worked very well together again some fine scores coming form this forward line, our full forward line of  Gary Hand & Sarah Farrell played very well both would get on the score sheet Sarah scoring a lovely goal, we were minus the services of Naill Hawes & Stephen Oates who will part of the panel also this year, the great thing about playing challenges is you can change the positions of some players during the game and as the season will go on it gives you an idea of the positions they look comfortable in, thanks to Longford Slashers for the game and we look forward to playing them again in our home ground later on in the season, well done also to Grattan’s U12 players who were recently part of the winning schools championship team.

U10:
This Wednesday the club looks forward to hosting a home blitz, with teams from Shannon Gaels, Southern Gaels and Moydow/Kenagh taking part. Games kick off at 7 pm and opportunity for each team to play up to 3 games.

U8: 
Our U8's took part in their third blitz of the season in Lanesborough on Wednesday last and a great night was had by all with a full cycle of games to keep The children entertained!

Off the field:
Strength & Conditioning Training - Thanks to John Twaddle who delivered an excellent session on Monday night last as the club completed their 3rd and final Club Specific Course. Very informative session and thanks to the coaches in attendance and also the Coaching & Games organisers for arranging the series of very worthwhile training.
The club's annual bag packing will take place in. Dunne’s Stores on the June Bank Holiday weekend and we are seeking volunteers please to help out. There are two hour slots available on both Friday and Saturday - can you please contact a member of the committee if available as the more helpers the less of a burden on all. Thanking you.

We are also having a Grattan Gaels Fun Canal Walk Challenge Monday 6th June 6 PM – see website for details