Irish Post (5th August 2006)

Kilburn Gaels 2-9 St Gabriels 2-13

St Gabriels maintained their impressive start to the Championship with a deserved four-point victory over Kilburn Gaels at Ruislip on Saturday.

Having seen off the challenge of Robert Emmetts in the opening round Gabriels led their fancied opponents from the 11th minute despite playing against a stiff breeze in the opening period.

After a satisfactory opening round victory over Sean Treacys Kilburn Gaels would have been expected to display their true Championship pedigree in this match but sadly for them a number of their top performers underperformed.

Defending the pavilion end in the first half and with a strong wind advantage Kilburn were never able to match the midfield dominance of St Gabriels' partnership where Mick O'Meara and Pat Finucane were always in control.

Although Mick O'Dwyer gave Kilburn an early lead from a pointed free in the third minute St Gabriels replied positively with three unanswered points from Pat Finneran, Adrian Pierce and a Pat Kelly 65.

Although Mick Hayes cut the deficit with a point in the 17th minute another pointed free from Kelly a minute later soon followed by a goal in the 20th minute from the same player had Kilburn in all sorts of trouble.

The Gaels' attack also had no answer to the Gabriels half back line and hence their scoring chances were severely restricted. A bad miss from a straightforward free from Mick Hayes didn't help matters after 22 minutes.

However Mick O'Dwyer did make amends three minutes before the half time whistle with his second point to leave the half-time score St Gabriels 1-4 Kilburn Gaels 0-3.

Trailing by four points and having to face the elements Kilburn were in crisis and their mentors didn't need to reinforce that during the interval.

While Gabriels clearly dominated possession Kilburn were also losing too many duels if they were to make a contest of it.

Kilburn therefore required a good third quarter if the game was to remain competitive and were given an early boost with a successful free from Mick Hayes after 35 minutes.

Corner-back John Joe Burke had also been switched to the kIlburn attack for the second half and although Gabriels added a brace of points from Tom Moroney and Pat Finucane the Gaels came storming back with a Mick O'Dwyer pointed free and a goal from Bertie Aherne on 42 minutes to leave just a point between the sides.

However a goal and point within a minute from Barry Dolan appeared to have ended Kilburn's resistance after 48 minutes.

But the Gaels still refused to capitulate and a goal from Mick Hayes six minutes from time set up a thrilling finish.

However St Gabriels showed tremendous composure and character to finish strongly and outscore their opponents by 0-4 to 0-2 until referee Mattie Maher sounded the final whistle.