London calling for Padraig Pearses as Connacht club semi-final beckons
Padraig Pearses have already made history this year by winning their first ever Roscommon senior football title.
They banished years of heartache and near misses, having endured seven previous county final defeats, when they defeated Roscommon Gaels in this year's decider last month.
Having finally captured the Fahey Cup, Pearses went on to defeat Tourlestrane of Sligo in their Connacht Club SFC quarter-final last Sunday. Goals from Niall Carty, Hubert Darcy (penalty) and Paul Carey saw Pearses claim a 3-7 to 0-6 victory at Markievicz Park. Pearses lost Conor Daly to a black card during the first half of the Tourlestrane game, and his brother Lorcan was later dismissed on two yellow cards, but they still had enough in the tank to progress (see report in this week's Westmeath Independent).
And now Pearses are one win away from a Connacht final appearance with a trip to London to face Tir Chonaill Gaels looming this weekend. The Moore/Taughmaconnell outfit will take on London champions Tir Chonaill Gaels in their Connacht semi-final at McGovern Park, Ruislip this Sunday.
With a short turnaround between the games against Tourlestrane and Tir Chonaill Gaels, the fixture in London presents plenty of logistical challenges for the Padraig Pearses club. The Pearses contingent will travel over tomorrow (Saturday), with Sunday's game slated for a 2pm throw-in.
Pearses' neighbours Clann na nGael met Tir Chonaill Gaels in last year's Connacht championship and they were given a stern test before emerging with a 1-15 to 1-10 victory at Dr Hyde Park. The London outfit led at half-time with Eoin Murray netting from the penalty spot, but a late goal from Graham Pettit was crucial in propelling Clann to victory.
Indeed, Pearses manager Pat Flanagan has said that that last year's game involving Clann serves as a warning to his side about the capabilities of Tir Chonaill Gaels.
"They caused Clann na nGael plenty of problems last year, so we will be well aware of the challenge we are facing," said Flanagan in the aftermath of last Sunday's win.
Based in Greenford, west London, Tir Chonaill Gaels defeated Fulham Irish in this year's London final, with team captain Liam Gavaghan playing a key role, thereby retaining their title.
The London champions previously entered the club championship at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage - for example, St Brigid's defeated Fulham Irish in an All-Ireland quarter-final when the Kiltoom side travelled to London during the 2011-2012 campaign. But the London representatives now take part in the Connacht championship, with last year the first occasion since this change was made.
Interestingly, Tir Chonaill Gaels are managed by Roscommon native Paul Coggins who is a former manager of the London county team. He led London to the 2013 Connacht senior football final with wins over Sligo and Leitrim (replay), with Mayo then proving far too strong in the provincial decider.
During his time in charge of the county team, Coggins was keen to bring through London-born players rather than relying on emigrants from Ireland, and he's continuing that approach with Tir Chonaill Gaels.
Looking ahead to Sunday's game, the Tir Chonaill Gaels manager told GAA.ie: “We do want to make a mark further afield than London. That is our aim. That is what we are trying to do. I'm not going to hide behind a bush to pretend otherwise. So we will be giving it a really big effort again. If we perform to the highest level that we are capable of performing, we will be there or thereabouts next Sunday, I have no doubts.”
In the other Connacht semi-final, All-Ireland champions Corofin - who were crowned Galway champions yet again when defeating Tuam Stars in a replayed county final last weekend - will meet Ballintubber of Mayo, also on Sunday.
AIB Connacht Club SFC Semi-finals
(Sunday, November 10)
Tir Chonaill Gaels v Padraig Pearses, Ruislip, 2pm, referee: James Molloy.
Corofin v Ballintubber, Tuam Stadium, 2pm, Eamon O'Grady.