Kingdom Kerry Gaels 5-10
Neasden Gaels 2-11
THIS was certainly a closer game than the final score line may suggest as Kingdom Kerry Gaels prevailed over Neasden Gaels in an entertaining Cara Stationery Football League Division 1 encounter at Ruislip.
Playing with the breeze in the opening period KKG used the conditions to their advantage in the early stages as they raced into a 1-3 lead - Ronan O'Boyle with the goal. It was a sign of things to come from the impressive corner forward. The sides traded points until five minutes before the interval.
Having won the breaking ball from their own kick out, Neasden worked the ball to the effective Andrew McMunn. His attempted point fell just short, but fortunately for Neasden Stevie Doran reacted to gather possession. Seeing his initial effort well saved, he was left with a tap in to reduce the deficit.
The goal provided a huge boost to Neasden, who registered the next point to draw within three points of their rivals. With a minute remaining in the opening half, Neasden were awarded a free out on the right hand side. The attempt was just drifted wide from the usually accurate Adrian Faherty. It proved to be a decisive miss as from their kick out, KKG raced up the park. With ball in hand, O'Boyle was upended with a penalty the inevitable decision. O'Boyle rolled the penalty home. At half time, KKG lead by 2-6 to 1-3.
Unperturbed by the ending of the first half Neasden Gaels came out with renewed determination as they registered the first four scores of the second period. Frank McMullan with the pick of the points as the midfielder scored a huge single from beyond the 45 line. Unfazed by their rivals revival, KKG kept their composure.
Keeping the ball in hand, Noel Dunning's men worked the ball up the right wing. With patient play, the ball fell to Shane Coyle. Not for the first time, O'Carroll in the Neasden nets made a fine save, only for the rebound to fall for Coyle, who made no mistake from the rebound. It was a killer blow from The Kingdom.
Within two minutes, they would score a fine goal again as Kevin Crehan rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net. When O'Boyle completed his hat trick in the 50th minute, the match was eventually over as a contest.
Scorers for Kingdom Kerry Gaels: R O'Boyle 3-3 (1-0pen, 1f), K Crehan 1-2, S Coyle 1-0, D Kilcoyne 0-2, J Coffey 0-1, S Finn 0-1, B Jordan 0-1.
Scorers for Neasden Gaels: A McMunn 1-2, S Doran 1-1, A Faherty 0-4 (3fs), D McDonagh 0-1, F McMullan 0-1, T Wall 0-1.
Kingdom Kerry Gaels: S Howard; A O'Connor, C Carty, C O'Neill; C Smith, J Coffey, E McCartney; S Browne, K O'Sullivan; K Crehan, S Finn, T Healy; R O'Boyle, B Jordan, S Coyle. Subs: D McCreeney for C Smith (37 mins) D Kilcoyne for S Finn (45mins), T Griffin for C O'Neill (45 mins), T Robinson for K Crehan (50 mins), J Callon for B Jordan (55 mins).
Neasden Gaels: N O'Carroll; N Byrne, M Cunningham, K Geraghty; D McDonagh, A Flanagan, C Flanagan; F McMullan, S Murihurty; A McMunn, D Crawford, M Diffley; S Doran, A Faherty, I Batley. Subs: T Wall for N Byrne (21 mins), J McAterr for T Wall (49 mins), N Horan for A Flanagan (52 mins).
Referee: Ger O'Shea.
