LONDON SENIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

This Sunday, Provincial and London Champions, Tir Conaill Gaels, take on Ulster and Armagh Champions, Crossmaglen Rangers, in the quarter-final of the AIB sponsored All-Ireland Club Senior Football Championship at the Emerald Grounds, Ruislip (throw-in 2pm).

The visitors Crossmaglen have been in existence for 112 years and their club history is both extensive and varied. The British Army occupation of part of the grounds has hindered development for a number of years. While the occupation is still ongoing, the club premises were developed four years ago to a high standard and is widely used by the entire community. Their playing fields are of a high standard with two National League games to be played in early 1999.The spectator capacity is about 20,000.

After winning 25 Armagh Senior Championship titles, the highlight of the club's existence was the winning of the Ulster and All-Ireland Club Championship in 1997. This team grew up together and won league and championship titles at underage level. This year's championship title gave them their 3-in-a-row and 27th title. On their way to the All-Ireland Quarter-Final, they disposed of Cavan champions, Mullahoran, in a replay by 2-8 to 0-8. They next met Antrim
champions, St. John's, who proved stiff opposition and had to wait until the final 10 minutes to gain supremacy.

The Ulster Club Final saw them pitted against Derry champions Bellaghy in what was described as one of the best club games ever seen in Ulsterand they came out on top by the minimum score, 1-11 to 1-10. They have basically the same team coming to Ruislip on Sunday that won the All-Ireland title two years ago.

They are very strong in depth and have a solid defence in Donal Murtagh, Francis Bellew and Garry McShane, while at midfield they have the towering pair of John McEntee and Anthony Cunningham, who have played a decisive role in the victories to-date. Up front they have the McConville brothers, Oisin and Jim, Tony McEntee and Cathal Short, who are a very formidable attacking force.

Tir Conaill Gaels will relish their third-in-a-row experience in All-Ireland Club Quarter Finals and they have given creditable performances against both, Knockmore of Mayo and Castlehaven of Cork, respectively. Most of their panel have gained valuable experience playing with London.
On their way to Sunday's quarter-final, they had a facile win over Parnells, 2-11 to 1-6, in the first round of the London Championship, despite being short Tommy Maguire, Steve Kane and Andy Carr.

In the quarter-final they got the shock of their lives from a very determined Tara side, and their ever vigilant keeper, Don Kelly, played a big part in their 0-13 to 1-6 win.

In the semi-final they came out on top against Kerry Gaels, winning by 1-12 to 0-9, with Tommy Maguire contributing 1-5.
In the county final, they were mesmerised by Garryowen, coming out losers 0-6 to 0-13 on the field of play, but following an objection they were awarded the championship title.

They played St Lawrence's of Lancashire in the Provincial Semi-Final, and came out on top convincingly by 3-10 to 1-6.
In the Provincial final at Pairc na h-Eireann, Birmingham, they had to fight all the way against Sean McDermott's of Warwickshire, and it was only in the final six minutes that they gained the necessary supremacy, to win 2-8 to 1-6.

On Sunday, they are facing a gigantic task against the Ulster Champions, but the Tir Conaill Gaels are renowned for their never-say-die and with the John McPartland contributory influence in his role as manager, the shock of the year could be on the cards. On paper they would appear to be disparity between the teams, but the heavy going will reduce that. They have a very strong defence in Dermot Gordon, Barry McDonagh, Paddy Tinnelly, Andy Carr and Kieran Gilhooley.

At midfield, they have Steve McLoughlin and Timmy Connolly, who are renowned for their workmanlike displays. In attack, they have the lethal sharp-shooting Tommy Maguire, aided by Paul Coggins, Maurice Somers and Julian Grimes. The Emerald Grounds, Ruislip, is the place to be on Sunday afternoon (throw-in 2pm) for a game that promises to be a cliff hanger.

So come the Gaels and lets show what we can do.

LONDON SENIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE For all the latest news and happenings in the Senior Football League, look no further than here. All info is updated by Colin Anderson and is correct at time of update.

Senior Hurling Intermediate Football Intermediate Hurling Ladies GAA London GAA News Clubs SFC Roll of Honour SHC Roll of Honour History of London GAA National League All Ireland Main Page	TIR CHONAILL nGAELS SFC CLASH This Sunday, Provincial and London Champions, Tir Conaill Gaels, take on Ulster and Armagh Champions, Crossmaglen Rangers, in the quarter-final of the AIB sponsored All-Ireland Club Senior Football Championship at the Emerald Grounds, Ruislip (throw-in 2pm). The visitors Crossmaglen have been in existence for 112 years and their club history is both extensive and varied. The British Army occupation of part of the grounds has hindered development for a number of years. While the occupation is still ongoing, the club premises were developed four years ago to a high standard and is widely used by the entire community. Their playing fields are of a high standard with two National League games to be played in early 1999.The spectator capacity is about 20,000. After winning 25 Armagh Senior Championship titles, the highlight of the club's existence was the winning of the Ulster and All-Ireland Club Championship in 1997. This team grew up together and won league and championship titles at underage level. This year's championship title gave them their 3-in-a-row and 27th title. On their way to the All-Ireland Quarter-Final, they disposed of Cavan champions, Mullahoran, in a replay by 2-8 to 0-8. They next met Antrim champions, St. John's, who proved stiff opposition and had to wait until the final 10 minutes to gain supremacy. The Ulster Club Final saw them pitted against Derry champions Bellaghy in what was described as one of the best club games ever seen in Ulsterand they came out on top by the minimum score, 1-11 to 1-10. They have basically the same team coming to Ruislip on Sunday that won the All-Ireland title two years ago. They are very strong in depth and have a solid defence in Donal Murtagh, Francis Bellew and Garry McShane, while at midfield they have the towering pair of John McEntee and Anthony Cunningham, who have played a decisive role in the victories to-date. Up front they have the McConville brothers, Oisin and Jim, Tony McEntee and Cathal Short, who are a very formidable attacking force. Tir Conaill Gaels will relish their third-in-a-row experience in All-Ireland Club Quarter Finals and they have given creditable performances against both, Knockmore of Mayo and Castlehaven of Cork, respectively. Most of their panel have gained valuable experience playing with London. On their way to Sunday's quarter-final, they had a facile win over Parnells, 2-11 to 1-6, in the first round of the London Championship, despite being short Tommy Maguire, Steve Kane and Andy Carr. In the quarter-final they got the shock of their lives from a very determined Tara side, and their ever vigilant keeper, Don Kelly, played a big part in their 0-13 to 1-6 win. In the semi-final they came out on top against Kerry Gaels, winning by 1-12 to 0-9, with Tommy Maguire contributing 1-5. In the county final, they were mesmerised by Garryowen, coming out losers 0-6 to 0-13 on the field of play, but following an objection they were awarded the championship title. They played St Lawrence's of Lancashire in the Provincial Semi-Final, and came out on top convincingly by 3-10 to 1-6. In the Provincial final at Pairc na h-Eireann, Birmingham, they had to fight all the way against Sean McDermott's of Warwickshire, and it was only in the final six minutes that they gained the necessary supremacy, to win 2-8 to 1-6. On Sunday, they are facing a gigantic task against the Ulster Champions, but the Tir Conaill Gaels are renowned for their never-say-die and with the John McPartland contributory influence in his role as manager, the shock of the year could be on the cards. On paper they would appear to be disparity between the teams, but the heavy going will reduce that. They have a very strong defence in Dermot Gordon, Barry McDonagh, Paddy Tinnelly, Andy Carr and Kieran Gilhooley. At midfield, they have Steve McLoughlin and Timmy Connolly, who are renowned for their workmanlike displays. In attack, they have the lethal sharp-shooting Tommy Maguire, aided by Paul Coggins, Maurice Somers and Julian Grimes. The Emerald Grounds, Ruislip, is the place to be on Sunday afternoon (throw-in 2pm) for a game that promises to be a cliff hanger. So come the Gaels and lets show what we can do.