North London Shamrocks are celebrating a first London SFC title after overcoming St Kiernan’s by 1-11 to 1-8 in yesterday’s final at Ruislip.
Appearing in their first-ever senior decider, the Shamrocks showed early nerves as points from Conor O’Donoghue and Sean Tucker helped three-time winners St Kiernan’s to settle first. But Shamrocks were soon level thanks to scores from Sean McGonagle, Michael Carroll and Joe McGill.
The winners then surged ahead with a goal from Ruairi Rafferty, which was quickly followed by points from Rafferty and Carroll. But a fortuitous goal from Tom Waters left St Kiernan’s just two adrift at the break.
David Rogers reduced the deficit to the minimum after the restart, but St Kiernan’s were unable to regain parity as points from McGill, Daniel Clarke and Rafferty put daylight between the sides again. St Kiernan’s closed the gap, but Waters’ dismissal was a huge blow to their ambitions and their fate was sealed when substitute Jamie Gillen also received his marching orders in stoppage-time.
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