ST Galls Claim 5th Sevens Title After Shootout
Kevin McGourty and Kevin Niblock were the heroes as St Galls won their fifth Kilmacud FBD All-Ireland football sevens title in dramatic circumstances at Glenalbyn. Niblock pointed a free from a very tight angle with the last kick of normal time to snatch a draw for the Antrim men and in the resultant penalty shootout, McGourty saved the efforts of Gary Sice and Colm ODonovan. CJ McGourty and Niblock converted from the spot for the winners ..... scroll down for more on this enthralling final.
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The first half was an all-action affair with most attacks resulting in scores as the two teams opted to accept the point-scoring opportunities available to them rather than attempting to carve out goal chances. The teams were level three times in the opening five minutes but St Galls finished the first half strongly. CJ McGourty, Kieran McGourty, the hugely impressive Niblock and Michael Pollack all raised white flags, while Colm ODonovan provided Corofins sole response.
ODonovan had a gilt-edged opportunity from the penalty spot but his low shot was saved and Galls went in at the interval leading by 0-7 to0-4.
Sice was central to Corofins second half efforts and his thunderous drive to the St Galls net helped them establish a three-point advantage but they couldnt hold on.
Scorers - St Galls: K Niblock 0-4(1f); CJ McGourty 0-3(1f); Kieran McGourty, M Pollock 0-2 each; T ONeill, S Burke 0-1 each
Corofin: G Sice 1-3; C ODonovan 0-4(1f); G Higgins, TMonaghan, B ODonovan 0-1 each
St Galls: Kieran McGourty, Kevin McGourty, C Brady, MKelly, TJ ONeill, M Pollock, K Niblock, S Burke, A Gallagher, CJ McGourty
Corofin: D Morris, G Higgins, K McGrath, M Comer, C ODonovan, T Monaghan, S Monaghan, B ODonovan, G Sice, K Fitzgerald
Referee: C Reilly (Meath)