|
Gaels show their title ambitions  Powerful,
hungry and clicking into gear at the right time of the season Tir Chonaill
Gales proved on Sunday at Greenford just why they’re being tipped
in many quarters to reclaim the London Senior Football Championship trophy
in 2007.
This clash with St. Kiernans may have been in the League but it showed
that the Greenford-based side is going well with the serious business
of the football season just around the corner.
Missing star players such as Michael Dwyer and Keith Jackman St. Kiernans
couldn’t cope with the experience and strength in depth of the Gaels.
With Chris Moroney in fine form finishing with a personal tally of 2-5
the Gaels raced into an early lead.
Moroney’s opening goal and points from the dual player Fergus McMahon
opened up a large gap but Thomas ‘Gooch’ McGaughren netted
one himself on 17 minutes to keep the Saints’ hopes alive.
The reprieve was only temporary though as the Gaels pulled clear of their
Division 1 rivals. At the interval the men in red-and-white led by eight
points and they knew barring disaster the points were in the bag.
Points from the excellent Phillip Morgan who was far and away Kiernans’ best player offered the boys in blue some hope but Moroney’s
second goal ended the game as a contest.
It is a sign of the status the Gaels hold in London football that joint
managers Paul Coggins and Maurice Carr were able to introduce London star
Daragh Kinneavey in the second-half and watch as he hit three points.
This game also marked a return to competitive action for JP O’Donnell.
The Gaels man was once considered among the very best players in Britain
but he has been injured for almost two years.
He returned in this game and hit three points from play to indicate that
he has lost none of his ability.
He could play a major role for the Gaels this season.
A Mort Reidy point offered a late consolation for the Gaels but the match
was over as a contest by that time. |
