| Blown away in Greenford
 By
Larry Cooney
London’s domestic football season got under way last Sunday with a decisive
12-point league victory for Tir Chonaill Gaels over Tara.
Last year’s defeated Championship finalists were never really in
contention after a 10th-minute Tommy Moriarty goal put the Gaels firmly
in command at Greenford.
Although both sides began without a number of key players, Tara were further
rocked by the early departure of inter-county star Senan Hehir who was
forced to retire injured after only six minutes with a suspected hamstring
tear.
Apart from being a huge loss to Tara Hehir’s latest injury is also
sure to be a major concern for London manager Noel Dunning with the Connacht
Championship fixture against Leitrim only five weeks away.
Played in glorious sunshine the hard condition of the Greenford pitch
was one of the main talking points as the match got under way.
Although playing uphill in the opening half Tir Chonaill Gaels began brightly
with a successful Brian Corry pointed free opening the scoring in the
third minute.
Moriarty’s goal gave the Gaels a four-point cushion before a Paul
Hehir free opened the account for Tara after 11 minutes.
The Gaels should have had a second goal but goalkeeper David Feeley saved
bravely at the feet of Fergus McMahon at the end of the first quarter.
In a rare Tara attack full-forward Gary Dillon had Tara’s second
point but despite kicking six wides Tir Chonaill Gaels still dominated
the second quarter with points from McMahon (2), Billy O’Mahoney
and Chris Moroney to open up a deserved 1-5 to 0-2 lead by the end of
the first-half.
Although Tara enjoyed the tonic of a first-minute point from Aidan Cooney
on the resumption Tir Chonaill Gaels were soon back on the offensive.
Beginning with a Tommy Moriarty free after three minutes the Gaels kicked
four points without reply to open up a 10-point lead by the 20th minute.
The writing was already on the wall for Tara.
The visitors only reply came from three Paul Hehir frees and despite kicking
another eight wides Tir Chonaill Gaels still managed to add a further
five points to their tally in the closing quarter.
Substitute Francis Cleary added three late points as well as a fifth point
from dual star Fergus McMahon from a 45 to earn the Gaels a deserved victory
after a comfortable start to the new season.
With a host of top names sprinkled throughout their squad the men from
Greenford may be the team to watch in 2007. |
