London SFC final: Gaels sweep to 16th title

November 29, 2015

Tir Chonaill Gaels manager Barney Breen.
©INPHO/Gerry McManus.

Tir Chonaill Gaels 3-10

St. Kiernan's 1-12

Tir Chonaill Gaels have been crowned London senior football champions for a 16th time after defeating St. Kiernan's in today's much-delayed final at Ruislip.

Barney Breen's charges laid the foundations for their success in the opening half when goals from Donegal duo Adrian Hanlon and Seamus 'Nanny' Friel meant that they trailed by just a point, 2-2 to 1-6, at the short whistle, despite having played against a strong wind.

Mark Gottsche opened their account before Hanlon raised the game's first green flag and was then black carded. St. Kiernan's hit back with a goal from Cathal Og Greene, only for Friel to strike at the other end and leave the winners 2-2 to 1-2 in front after 16 minutes.

St. Kiernan's hit four unanswered points to lead at half-time, but the Gaels rallied on the restart with points from John McGrath (free), Niall Boyle and Cathal Magee before Brian Duddy's goal at the end of the third quarter propelled them into a 3-6 to 1-9 lead.

They closed out the game with late points from captain Marty McCoy and Magee as the silverware returned to Greenford.

The Gaels will now face surprise Munster club champions Clonmel Commercials in the All-Ireland club SFC quarter-final at Ruislip in a fortnight's time.

Tir Chonaill Gaels - D Traynor; E McConville, P Butler, B McAtarnsey; G Magee, R Breen, M McCoy (0-1); M Gottsche (0-1'45), L Gavaghan; A Askin, C Magee (0-2), N Boyle (0-1); B Duddy (1-0), S Friel (1-3, 0-2f), A Hanlon (1-1, 0-1f). Subs: J McGrath (0-1f) for A Hanlon (BC), A McDermott for L Gavaghan (BC), A Carr for B Duddy, B Ross for G Magee, B Collins for B McAtarnsey, R Kearney for A Askin.

St. Kiernan's - B O'Leary; P Begley, I McGough, D Quinn; D Ryan (0-1), S Curran, G Lyons (0-1); T Waters, J Moran; M Mulholland, C Og Greene (1-0), L McKenna (0-1); A Moyles (0-2, 1f), K Sweeney (0-4, 3f), M O'Donoghue (0-2). Subs: M Callery for T Waters (BC), P Finn (0-1) for C Og Greene (BC), L Donoghue for M Mulholland.

Referee - B Collins.


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