Donegal-backed North London Shamrocks secure historic first London senior title

There was plenty of Donegal success on Sunday as North London Shamrocks claimed their first-ever London Senior Football Championship title after a well-deserved victory over St Kiernan’s in challenging weather conditions in west London. 

With the panel boasting almost 20 Donegal players on a panel managed by 2012 All-Ireland winner Peter Witherow, the North London Shamrocks will no doubt take great satisfaction after overcoming their London rivals on a 1-11 to 1-8 point result. 

Ten Donegal men started for the Shamrocks, while Johnny Sweeney, Paddy Dolan, and Odhran Hilley all made an appearance off the bench. 

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North London Shamrocks had a slow start, missing an early chance through Adam Dunne, but Sean McGonagle opened their account in the eighth minute. Sean Tucker soon restored a two-point lead for St Kiernan’s with a free, but the Shamrocks quickly drew level with points from Donegal men Michael Carroll and Joe McGill. 

The Shamrocks then took the lead in the 14th minute when Ruairi Rafferty found the back of the net after being set up by a defensive mistake. Carroll and Rafferty added further points, increasing their advantage to five as their defensive unit disrupted several promising St Kiernan’s attacks.  

St Kiernans finally broke their scoring drought with a free from Tom Waters, but Graham Brody denied Conor O’Donoghue a potential goal with a crucial save. 

Moville native Ciaran Diver added another point for the Shamrocks, but a mistake by Brody allowed a shot from Waters to sneak into the net, bringing St Kiernan’s back into contention as the first half ended with North London Shamrocks ahead 1-6 to 1-4. 

St Kiernan’s had the wind advantage in the second half, and David Rogers immediately narrowed the gap with a point.  

However, North London Shamrocks extended their lead again, with McGill, Daniel Clarke, and Rafferty all adding scores. Both teams saw players sent off with black cards - Kevin McCarthy for St Kiernan’s and Ardara’s Johnny Sweeney for the Shamrocks - as the game grew tense. 

Waters and Oran Kerr managed to reduce the deficit for St Kiernans, but Thomas Lenihan's point for the Shamrocks kept them ahead. Waters, who had been instrumental for St Kiernan’s, scored again before being sent off for an off-the-ball incident. Jamie Gillen also saw red as injury time approached. 

In the final moments, North London Shamrocks withstood the pressure from St Kiernan’s, and Diver’s late point in injury time sealed their historic victory with a final score of 1-11 to 1-7, giving them their first-ever London Senior Football Championship. 

North London Shamrocks:Graham Brody; Nathan McElwaine, Liam Kelly, Eoin Flanagan; Sean McMonagle, Conor McGonigle, Adam Dunne; Michael Carroll, Ultan Boyle; Daniel Clarke, Joe McGill, Michael Miller (Captain); Ruairi Rafferty, Conor McKelvey, Ciaran Diver. Subs: Oran Hilley for Sean McMonagle (30+6’), Thomas Lenihan for Ultan Boyle (HT), Johnny Sweeney for Michael Miller (45’), Paddy Dolan for Conor McGonigle (58’). 

The rest of the North London Shamrocks panel: Oran Blaney, James Kelly, James Hynes, Seamus Hughes, Felim Conroy, Daire Coyle, Liam O’Meara, Michael Lynch, Patrick Gallon, Peter Mallon, Jack Gannon, Luke Gallagher, Owen Scally, Enda McHugh. 

St Kiernan's: Dan McDonagh; Geoff Kingston, Keith Curran, Eoin Walsh; David Rogers, David Carrabine (Captain), Conor O’Donoghue; Caomhan Doolan, Oran Kerr; Killian Brady, Marcus Mangan, Tom Waters; Danny Doyle, Sean Tucker, Kevin McCarthy. Subs: Kevin Henry for Danny Doyle, Jamie Gillen for David Rogers (both 46’), Rob Reid for Keith Curran, Chris Morris for Marcus Mangan (60+5’). 

Referee: Mark Hanley (Cú Chulainns).