Tir Chonaill Gaels 0-17 St Brendans 1-06 While it would be foolhardy to read too much into a match that had little at stake other than sorting out the Group A pecking order, Tir Chonaill Gaels once again demonstrated that they are the team to beat in London. By Damian Dolan - 20/08/09

A Kevin McMenamin inspired Gaels made light work off overcoming a St Brendans side to take top spot and book a semi-final meeting with Neasden Gaels – a repeat of last years county final.

Not even Paul Moyne’s fortuitous goal first half could knock the Gaels off their stride, while it will now be the task of Neasden to find some way of stopping McMenamin. For while the Gaels are far from a one man team, McMenamin is undoubtedly the new jewel in their crown.

He gave marker Shane O’Hare a testing time before Gaels manager Paul Coggins withdrew him from the fray in injury time – his afternoons work complete after helping himself to a tally of 0-5.

It was all a far cry from the opening five minutes though as St Brendans raced into a two point lead thanks to strikes from Brendan Bolger, who was given plenty of time to pick his stop, and Killian Phair.

Though slow to start, the Gaels were soon into their game and when the industrious Johnny Hughes was pulled back on a trademark surge up field, McMenamin sent the resulting free between the posts.

McMenamin drew the Gaels level and then combined with Hughes to set up Martin Sweeney to point. Liam Gavaghan pointed and when McMenamin and Kevin Downes executed a well worked short free for the latter to fist over the bar, the Gaels led by three following five unanswered points.