Result Sunday 03/10/2004
Kingdom Kerry Gaels 2-06 Tara 0-04
On Sunday October 3rd 2004 at Ruislip in London
the Kingdom Kerry Gaels created history by beating
Tara in the Final of the AIB Senior Football Championship.
This being the first time since the two clubs
amalgamated to win the Championship trophy in
London, the last being fifteen years ago when
then the Kingdom. The Kingdom who played with
the strong breeze in the first half dominated
the opening proceedings. Only for not executing
all of their scoring opportunities should have
been further ahead at the break. The Kingdom registered
their opening score with a point through team
captain Diarmuid Slattery midway through the half
after having two goal opportunities blazed wide
and several attempts at point's off-target. The
Kingdom followed this with another this time from
Gordon Weldon. With Stephen Sheehan, Eamon Brennan
and Kevin Waldron commanding midfield. Waldron
played a roaming role, and the defence having
the upper hand over their opponents where Karl
Scanlon and Tom Early excelled. The Kingdom had
the ball in the Tara's net after Hugh Murphy fisted
the ball into the goal in the twentieth-fifth
minute. Another point from Weldon, this time from
a free, and the Kingdom opened up a six point
lead. In injury time and the last action of the
half the Tara's registered their first score with
a point and The Kingdom Kerry Gaels went in at
the break leading, 1-03 to 0-01.
On the resumption it was the Tara's who were
first off the mark with a point but the Kingdom
responded with a superb point from Colm Foody.
In the tenth minute came the turning point of
the game when Tara full-forward was one-on-one
with Kingdom keeper, Shaun Howard, and pulled
off an excellent save. Within minutes at the
other end of the pitch the Kingdom were awarded
a penalty, when Chris Hamill was taken down
in the square. From the resulting kick, Colm
Foody, placed the ball into the net.
Another pointed free from Weldon saw the Kingdom
go eight points clear. With the Tara's now pushing
everything forward and searching for a goal,
they responded with a point. Man of the match
Gordon Weldon was to have the final say when
he scored his fourth point and the Kingdom Kerry
Gaels created history in winning their first
Championship. There were absolute delirious
scenes among the Kingdom Kerry Gaels contingent
as County Board Chairman Larry O Leary presented
the trophy to winning captain Diarmuid Slattery.
Manager Tom Roche was delighted with the team's
win as were selectors Christy Kissane and Noel
Dunning. The Kingdom Kerry Gaels will now compete
in the Club Championship. Finally the committee
of the KKG would like to thank everyone involved
who made this possible including our sponsors
and a special thanks to our supporters who followed
us all year and especially the ones who travelled
from abroad for the game.
Best for the Kingdom Kerry Gaels were Shaun
Howard, Karl Scanlon, Tom Early, Stephen Sheehan,
Eamon Brennan, Kevin Waldron, Colm Foody and
Gordon Weldon.
Squad: Shaun Howard, Andrew Murphy, Karl Scanlon,
Paul Early, Tom Early, Cormac Costello, Padraic
McDonagh, Eamon Brennan , Stephen Sheehan, Hugh
Murphy, Diarmuid Slattery, Chris Hamill, Gordan
Weldon, Colm Foody, Kevin Waldron, Eugene Murphy,
John 'Jacko' Murphy, Jim Landy, Martin Coppinger,
Denis McNamara, Sean Toohig, Ivor Buckley, Cathal
Ó Murchú, Patrick Bleakley, Mick
Langan, Alan Bailey, Robert Pattwell, Eoin Gallagher,
Eamon Phelan, Rowan Sullivan, Anthony Sheehan,
Mark Shannon and PJ Burke
If you are coming to London to work or study
and want to play Gaelic football contact Tom
Roche 07866835282 or 02082008597, Christy Kissane
07785902448. Check out our website www.kingdomkerrygaels.co.uk
or E-mail webmaster@kingdomkerrygaels.co.uk.
Any ladies interested in playing Gaelic football
should contact Shilagh McCarthy on
ShilaghMcCarthy@aol.com |
