Over the Memorial Day weekend, a large group of girls from the Clan na nGael Ladies Football team traveled to San Diego to play against San Diego’s local team, Na Fianna. Na Fianna are the only ladies' gaelic football club in San Diego, and as a result they do not get to play too many games against other teams. The closest club to them would be in Orange County; a good hour or more away depending on the notorious Southern California traffic.

The game was very evenly matched, although I would think it safe to say that Clan na nGael were carrying way more hangovers than Na Fianna! The home side looked the part with their accurate handpassing up the pitch toward the Clan na nGael goal throughout the first half, however, once they reached their destination, the shots they took left a lot to be desired which was evident by the fact that at half-time they had scored only 4 points and at least 15 wides. Clan na nGael too, surprising even to the girls after Friday night, were playing well and making some great runs up the Astroturf pitch, a first for many. However, none of Clan na nGael’s attempts in that first half were converted. Connie McNamara and Doreen Egan in particular were denied too many times for their liking, and the half time score read Na Fianna 0-4 Clan na nGael 0-0.

Very little changed in the second half with regard the standard of football as there were still a number of shots being taken for Na Fianna which just kept going wide and Clan na nGael continued to struggle to get off the mark. About one third of the way through the second half, Connie McNamara managed to finally get Clan na nGael on the scoreboard with a point that would make David Beckham proud, a lovely left footed lob over the bar. At the final whistle the scoreline read Na Fianna 2-6 Clan na nGael 0-3, a scoreline that didn’t do justice to the game. 

Clan na nGael: 

Kimra Roundy
Lisa Connolly
Kristen Minger
Elaina Jan
Sinead Barrett
Donna Finn
Eileen Vollert
Rebecca Biernat 0-1
Nuala Gardiner
Connie McNamara 0-1
Doreen Egan 0-1
Alma Kelly
Nichol Baxter
Amy-Geene Williamson
Lacie Stieweg