Irish World (9th June 2007)

Kilburn Gaels 5-11 Thomas McCurtains 0-8

The non-appearance of Granuaille for their game against St Gabriels meant that the hurling 'show' for Saturday evening at Ruislip was reduced to just one.

Sadly, however, ant through no fault of either side, the use of the term "match" might be considered by some to be overuse of the poetic license often granted and grabbed by writers.

Thomas McCurtains were simply no match from Kilburn Gaels on this occasion, and but for some splendid long-range free-taking from Stephen O'Donoghue, the McCurtains could have been totally embarrassed by last year's runners-up in both the League and the Championship.

Indeed, talking about Championships, at this point, based on what has been on show so far this year, it is very difficult to see any team capable of matching the Kilburn Gaels, and while some clubs might have a few better individuals, none have a better collective.

Granted it is early days in terms of Championship, and there is a whole summer of recruiting to be done, but at the moment, Kilburn look the best bet to me and if they continue to develop what they have at the moment, it will take a very aggressive recruiting process from someone else to better them.

The key to this victory lay in the attack, with the midfield duo of Stakelum and Tony Ferris totally dominating their direct opponents, while Keith Kennedy at centre half forward and Mick Hayes at full forward, were far too hot for the McCurtain's defence to handle.

Added to them, Rory Hogan and Mick O'Dwyer both grafted hard on the wings to make sure that the East London side were constantly kept on the back foot.

Goals were plentiful in this game with Alan Troy, Tony Ferris, Rory Hogan and Mick Hayes (2) accounting for Kilburn's haul of five, and such was the winner's dominance, that that five could very easily have been eight or nine.

McCurtains are better then this, but on this day they had no answer to a Kilburn side that is rapidly growing in confidence and self-belief.

Their challenge now is to make sure they make the best use of that belief and that it is still burning strong come the end of summer.

It's hard to see any reason why it shouldn't be.

As for Thomas McCurtains, well just like all the cowboys in the Wild West were told: "When you fall off, you get right back up again and start to ride that horse once more".

Scorers: M. Hayes 2-3, R. Hogan 1-3, T. Ferris 1-2, A. Troy 1-1, K. Kennedy, M. O'Dwyer 0-1 each.