Gaels scale Heights
 By David
Thorpe
TIR CHONAILL GAELS 1-14
ST. KIERNANS 0-6
London U-21 Football Championship Final
Tir Chonaill Gaels’ greater experience proved decisive as they
powered past St. Kiernans to claim the London U-21 title on Sunday.
Established senior stars such as Francie Cleary, who was man of the match,
and Billy O’Mahoney had far too much guile for a Kiernans outfit
replete with endeavor but limited in crucial areas of the field.
This match is likely to be remembered for the triple sending-offs late
in the game, a moderate tussle on the 40 yards line saw the Gaels Aaron
Salmon apparently struck twice by Kiernans players. Salmon appeared to
walk away from the altercation, but was then grabbed from behind by a
Kiernans player. Salmon was sent off along with two Kiernans players for
the incident, but the Gaels will likely appeal to prevent their player
from missing the Inter-Provincial Championship.
It was otherwise a lively and engaging match. Rank outsiders St. Kiernans
were more than a match for their opponents in the first half, showing
the greater hunger and came from 0-5 to 0-2 behind to level matters at
the break.
The useful Eamonn Magahern opened the Kiernans account on four minutes
before Andy Gallagher, who was deployed at midfield, replied with a tidy
score for the Gaels.
John O’Donnell and Francie Cleary traded points as the game settled
into a pattern, but the winners were gradually winning the midfield battle
and a Tommy Moriarty point sent them into the lead on 10 minutes before
Gallagher and Cleary stretched the Gaels advantage to 0-5 to 0-2 with
half time looming.
St. Kiernans showed admirable reserves of character to battle back and
level matters by half-time with three unanswered points, the best of which
came courtesy of their best player on the day, Frankie Callopy.
A tense and engrossing second half looked to be in prospect, but the Gaels
had more fire in their bellies after the break and their greater class
told as the swiftly pulled clear to record an easy victory.
Driving runs from defence were the key to their successes, as Cleary
and particularly Gallagher sent over a wave of points to secure their
victory. While St. Kiernans never gave up the chase a late goal from Gallagher
put a merited gloss on the scoreline and ensured that the title belonged
to Tir Chonaill Gaels.
Results
London:
U21 Football Championship Final
Tir Chonaill Gaels 1-14 St Kiernans 0-6
McCullough Cup Q/F
Bros Pearse 3-19St Gabriels B 2-9
McArdle Cup S/F
St Josephs 5-17 Robert Emmetts 0-5
Tipperary Cup S/F
St Brendans 0-14 Round Towers 0-10
McCullough Cup S/F
Cuchullain Puirseil 1-7 Kilburn Gaels B 0-7
Ryan Cup S/F
Sean Traceys W/O St Gabriels scr
Football League Division 3 S/F
Cuchullains W/O Dulwich Scr
Football League Division 2
An Riocht Kerry Gaels W/O St Clarets SCR
Warwickshire:
Ladies Provincial Club Football Championship Final
John Mitchells 3-14 Emerald Gaels 1-7
Jury’s Inn Senior Football
Sean McDermotts 5-17 Four Masters 0-5
Roger Casements 0-10 John Mitchells 0-7
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