Lots of Sligo players involved in London senior football final as Shamrocks win first title

There was plenty of Sligo players involved, including former Sligo intercounty player Eoin Flanagan from St John’s lining out for the Shamrocks alongside his Shamrocks’ teammate James Hynes from St Farnan’s club in Sligo.

Meanwhile, David Carrabine, brother of Sligo senior footballer, Seán, was captain of the St Kiernan’s team with Geevagh’s Kevin Henry also lining out for the side.

Jamie Gillen, Drumcliffe/Rosses Point also lined out for St Kiernan’s while Shamrock’s selector Niall Costello is also from Sligo.

McGovern Park in Ruislip was the setting for the eagerly-anticipated final on Sunday.

It was a close encounter between the sides and at the full-time whistle, it was the North London Shamrocks who won their first-ever senior title, on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-08.

There were emotional scenes as tears flowed freely and captain Michael Miller alongside the long-serving Flanagan from Sligo lifted the cup to the delight of their supporters.

The club was founded back in 2005 out of the remnants of St Theresa’s and Shannon Rovers/Sam Maguires.

Sunday’s win and what it meant was evident on the faces of the Shamrocks’ players, management and supporters in what was also their first senior championship final after making the step up in 2015.

The sides are familiar rivals and it was St Kiernan’s who had the bragging rights from their previous encounters however Sunday belonged to the Shamrocks.

St Kiernan’s however will undoubtedly continue their quest for their fourth title next season.

The Shamrocks will be in the Connacht Club SFC quarter-final with the Mayo champions and that game will be in McGovern Park on the weekend of November 9/10.The Mayo final, like the majority of games on Sunday, was postponed due to Storm Ashley. Ballina Stephenites and Knockmore are contesting the decider with North London Shamrocks awaiting the winners in Ruislip in what should be a special occasion for the club.

NORTH LONDON SHAMROCKS: Graham Brady, Nathan McElwaine, Liam Kelly, Eoin Flanagan, Seán McMonagle (0-1), Conor McGonigle, Aidan Dunne, Michael Carroll (0-2), Ultan Boyle, Daniel Clarke (0-1 1f), Joe McGill (0-2), Michael Miller (C), Ruairí Rafferty (1-2), Enda McHugh, Ciarán Diver (0-2 1f) Subs used: Oran Hilley for McMonagle, Thomas Lenihan (0-1) for Boyle, Johnny Sweeney for Miller, Paddy Dolan for McGonigle.

Manager: Peter Witherow, Selector Brian Conaghan, Niall Costello Physio Joe O’Reilly, Eimear Alcorn

ST KIERNAN’S: Dan McDonagh, Geoff Kingston, Keith Curran, Eoin Walsh, David Rogers, David Carrabine (C) (0-1), Conor O’Donoghue (0-1), Jamie Gibson, Oran Kerr (0-1), Kevin Henry, Marcus Mangan, Tom Waters (1-3 0-3f), Danny Doyle, Seán Tucker (0-2 1f), Kevin McCarthy.

Subs used Kevin Henry for Doyle, Jamie Gillen for Rogers, Rob Reid for Curran, Chris Morris for Mangan.

Manager: Senan O’Grady, Coach Damian Holland, Selector James Callery Physio Emma Quelly

REFEREE: Mark Hanley.