Tom O'Connor R.I.P

A dark cloud descended over the club on Sunday morning with the sad news of the passing of our much loved vice president and friend Tom O'Connor. Tom passed away after a short illness and stay at Northwick Park Hospital. Tom was a native of Co Limerick and was very proud of his native county and has been a great club servant for over the last two decades and very recently up until taking ill.

Tom was highly involved in the minor board in earlier years to which he was still serving as President and more recently was at the forefront of the lotto committee and was always on duty on match days in Greenford and Ruislip raising funds for the club. He had a warm smile and handshake every time you met him and very much enjoyed the fun that went with the club lotto and meeting the many people who came to the club, in short he was a mighty Gael. The esteem in which Tom was held could be felt in the sadness that was expressed by members of all clubs that were in Ruislip for Sundays' games. A minutes silence was held in his honor before our match with St Kiernans. Tom is survived by his daughter Pat and we send our sincere sympathies and prayers. We hope to inform all club members of funeral arrangements in the coming days.

May Tom rest in peace.

Home Grown Final
Our all English born panel contested the all Britain final on Saturday evening in Ruislip V Sean McDermotts from Birmingham. After an even start for both teams, McDermotts hit 1-4 on the trot to give them an 8 point lead after 20 minutes. The Gaels pulled back 2 points to go into the break 6 points adrift.

The 2nd half saw the Gaels rally and they had McDermotts pegged back when Francis McGinley rattled the onion bag and the comeback was on. They raced into a 4 point lead but McDermotts pulled a goal back and hit a 45 between the posts with the last kick to send the game into extra time.

The Gaels controlled the first period and went into the break 3 points up. The second period saw the Gaels hold their own and maintain their lead. With 5 mins left the Gaels made hard work of clearing the ball from defence and from a sideline ball launched into the box McDermotts pulled a goal back and then went on to register 3 points to confirm their victory.

It was a great game and hopefully it will kick-start this competition for the future and renew rivalries of old with clubs from other cities around England.

Seniors
The seniors played St Kiernans in the 2nd round of the championship on Sunday in Ruislip. The Gaels started the game in high gear and never gave the Kiernans a sniff from start to finish. A great individual solo effort from Liam Gavigan running with the ball on the deck from the 45 to score a goal was the highlight of the first half. The defence was uncompromising and laid he foundations for Liam Gavigan, Adam Askin and Mark Gottsche to control possession and launch attacks.

A fortunate goal at the beginning of the 2nd half killed the game as a contest but the Gaels kept the scoreboard ticking over. With two wins from twp the boys can look forward to a semi-final after commanding the group.

Best Wishes
The club sends best wishes to former player and club member Danny Tully after a short illness, we hope to see him down supporting the club very soon.

Tir Chonaill Gaels Club Notes - 17 August 2015

Seniors
Seniors had no fixtures at the weekend. They are back in action this Sunday 23rd of August in the Championship V St Kiernans this Sunday at 12.00 in Ruislip. Come out and support Barney, Lloyd and the boys.

Juniors/Homegrown
Last week saw a little piece of history being made when a senior team consisting of players all born in London consisting of all the junior players and complimented with 3 from the seniors won the London homegrown championship beating St Kiernans after a reply.

The first game on Tuesday was a thriller with St Kiernans leveling with the last attack of the game. The replay on Thursday saw the Gaels race into a 7 point lead only for the Kiernans to hit 1-3 without reply. The boys showed great character by taking the game back by the scruff of the neck and going two points up to settle the nerves and see the game out. Liam O´Regan had a stormer in the full back line with battling performances from Gavin McEvoy, Aidan McGarvey, Killian Butler and Kieran Clarke.

Over both games the Kiernans and Gaels played with great intentsity and rivalry which was a great compliment to the youth structures they have in place and to the people who brought these players through the ranks at each club- well done to all at both clubs. A special mention of thanks to Cormac McGarvey who treated the players and supporters to refreshments afterwards.

As a result, the boys play in the all Britain final this coming Saturday V John Mitchells in Ruislip at 6pm. Lets get out and support the lads.

Reserves
The old boys are out on Wednesday evening against the North London Shamrocks in the first round of the Championship, throw in at 7.15pm in Tottenhall. Good luck to Brian and the boys for the campaign.

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