St Gabriel’s B Crowned Division 2 League Champions

St Gabriel’s B were crowned Division 2 league champions after overcoming Thomas McCurtain’s by 0-21 to 1-11 in a competitive final at McGovern Park, Ruislip, yesterday afternoon.
Having suffered a heavy defeat to the same opposition earlier in the league campaign, St Gabriel’s began with real purpose. Playing into the wind, they opened the scoring through Darragh Egan, with further points from Eoin Kelly and Cathal Finn helping them establish an early foothold.
Their strong start was built on a disciplined defensive display. Tom McCutcheon and Brian Quinn were resolute in the full-back line alongside the outstanding Adam Bookle, while goalkeeper Niall Cannon produced a couple of excellent saves to deny McCurtain’s the early goal they needed.
The hard-working Dylan Corcoran and Neil Rogers, together with Bookle, gave St Gabriel’s a solid platform from which to build. Ben Herlihy was in excellent form at midfield, and his link play with the tireless Martin Hickey ensured a steady supply of ball to the forwards.
Paddy Naughton rolled back the years with a terrific hour marking county senior player Tom Hannifin, while Josh Tobin led the line effectively in attack, ably supported by Mick Shannon and Darragh Egan.
St Gabriel’s held a narrow 0-9 to 0-8 advantage at half-time, although a number of conceded frees had allowed McCurtain’s to remain firmly in contention.
The champions continued to keep the scoreboard moving after the restart and gradually took control of the contest. McCurtain’s found the net midway through the second half, but the goal failed to generate the momentum they needed.
St Gabriel’s responded impressively, continuing to pick off their points before closing out a deserved seven-point victory and claiming the Division 2 league title.