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Tir Chonaill send out Championship warning  By
Larry Cooney
The odds on Tir Chonaill Gaels lifting this year’s Senior Football
Championship crown in the capital were greatly shortened after the men
in red and white defeated the defending champions St. Brendans at Ruislip
on Sunday.
Recording a second consecutive victory over the holders in a week the
Gaels have taken an early advantage over their great rivals and now look
poised to top their group ahead of the knock-out stages in September.
St. Brendans made a bright start to this eagerly-awaited contest and they
deserved to take the lead through a Killian Phair free after six minutes.
However the Gaels were on level terms by the 12th minute when Niall Quinn
finished well.
As the game entered the end of the first quarter Brendans were still enjoying
parity.
However the Gaels’ new midfield partnership of Fergus McMahon and
Declan ‘Dixie’ Meehan was starting to become increasingly
more assertive.
Dara Kinneavey, who was moved from his customary full-forward position
to the half-forward line, was also beginning to show the kind of form
that can terrorise most defences.
After giving the Gaels the lead from a free after 17 minutes Kinneavey
added a further three points during the remainder of the half including
two from play.
Meanwhile all the Brendans’ attack could manage was another Killian
Phair free in the 22nd minute to leave the Gaels leading by 0-5 to 0-2
at the break.
The result was effectively decided in the third quarter when the Gaels
opened up a six-point lead through scores from placed balls from Dara
Kinneavey (2) and David O’Brien off his left foot.
Despite the introduction of Shane Manley the Brendans’ attack was
always second best against a resolute Gaels defence and had to rely on
the boot of Niall Clinton who successfully converted two of the four 45s
they were awarded.
Adrian Brett had their final score and also the last score of the game
with 10 minutes remaining as the Gaels deservedly held out for a major
victory. |
