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[London 1-7 (0-2) Tipperary 1-8 (1-19)]

London 1-7 (0-2) Tipperary 1-8 (1-19)

Is it possible that after the Championship wins last season the other counties are taking London a bit more seriously?

That could explain why have they have lost their first three outings by 11, 9 and 12 points.

London made three changes to the side that lost to Clare last weekend, including Mulvey who was missing with a groin strain (I think).

Tipp came straight out of the blocks and, from the throw in created a goal chance that saw London's first touch go behind for a 45.

London came back immediately and from a free close to the posts opted to create a goal chance that caught everyone expect the Tipp 'Keeper off guard who turned the low shot wide for a 45, which was converted to get London on the board. London then had to wait until the 32nd min. before recording another! However the home side could feel a little aggrieved to find Fizgerald in the Tipp goal on top form, making three goal bound saves in the first half.

The Tipperary front line on the other hand kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely and converted a 22 min. penalty to give them a 9 nine point lead at the break.

London started the second half with purpose and added 3 points and converted a penalty before Tipp regained control scoring 6 points, all from play, to London's 1 from a free.

Fizgerald then pulled off two fine second half saves to keep the winning margin comfortable for the visitors.

If you were looking to put a positive spin on things you could point the the Tipperary 'keeper (I think the best description is that he's a big unit!) but too often shots fell short and passing was inaccurate  at critical times. Tipp's back line always seemed quicker to pounce on the lose ball. Sean Kelly was my MoM for London. He was busy, aggressive and chipped in with a couple of points.

So London head to Waterford in desperate need to of a change of fortune.

(London - Traynor, Butler, Curran, McCarthy, Hannon, Kelly, McCarron, Carroll, Crowley, Feeney, Gottsche, Miskelly, Mulligan, O'Neill Magee)

On a separate issue we had three black cards in the game (London 2, Tipp 1). All seemed to correct from refereeing point of view. My question is has the new card changed anything? The Tipp BC occurred with about 5 mins. to go in a game that was well won and seemed totally pointless.

Last season London charged £10 for the Championship QF with Sligo. So the same price is too much for a Div. 4 game in my view.

I've no idea what attendances Div. 4 get in Ireland (the Youtube footage of the game at Wickow looked very sparsely attended) , but I doubt there were 200 at Ruslip yesterday. When you bear in mind that OAP's are half price and juniors are free I doubt the takings cover the running costs.

Anyway, it's nice to see that my throw away comment about admission resulted in a string of posts, while my painstakingly complied report didn't raise a single murmur! 

The GAA doesn't do selective pricing, in general. A decent seat in a covered stand for a Div 1 or Div 2 game would be the same price. In Ireland, you can buy the ticket during the week before the game for a discount.

So it would be the same to watch Dublin v Cork as I paid today for London v Clare? That doesn't seem right.

[London 1-8 (1-3) Clare 2-14 (2-7)]

London 1-8 (1-3) Clare 2-14 (2-7)

Well the euphoria of last summer is well and truly over for London after the second (heavy) defeat of season.

Clare ran out worthy winners at Ruslip in a strong wind and on a tricky surface that offered erratic bounce and saw players struggle to keep their feet. Indeed I have never seen a game where players traveled while almost exclusively kicking, not bouncing the ball. 

Clare effectively won with two goals in the first 15 minutes, both of which London could (and should) have avoided. The first saw London appear to have control of the ball only to lose possession in front of goal giving Traynor no chance. The second saw the keeper spill the ball at his near post and with defenders helpless the ball was smashed into the roof of the net.

London's talisman Lorcan Mulvey did nip in front of the Clare 'keeper to punch a goal for the home team on 22 minutes, but he wasn't his dominated self (I believe he is back from injury and missed the trip to Wicklow) and was replaced at the start of the second half after a heavy challenge.

Any hope of London revival was short lived as Clare replied to the London three pointer by racking up 6 points in 8 minutes to the home sides 1.

As always London's efforts was not in question however they didn't seem to be at the races today. Paul Coggins must already be concerned that the wooden spoon beckons!

On a separate note how much do Div. 4 sides charge for admission?  In the short time I've been watching London I think the price of league games has doubled, £5 to £10. Bearing in mind that Ruslip is a clubhouse with a playing area, no seats or terrace. While I'm happy to pay ten quid seems a lot to me.

Oh, I see. I thought you were suggesting something sinister!

I'm Just glad to see some football. Chances are limited for a Man of Kent!

??

Any reason why it shouldn't be this weekend?

Looking forward to my first county game of the season tomorrow, London vs Clare.

A bit of a beating in the opening fixture at Wicklow, but hope springs eternal.

The Dr Crokes coach was saying much the same about London playing in Connacht. He also complained about the Irish side always having to travel for the fixture. To the untrained eye some sort of reform, as far as London is concerned, would be of benefit to everyone.

So what chance is there of change anytime soon?

Dr Crokes 3-12 TCG 0-6 today. What good is it asking provincial champions to extend their season an extra 2 weeks to play an AI qf that they always win. Have the British champions ever actually won any of these games? Would make more sense to have them compete in the Connacht club c'ship.

Whatever the ins and outs of it Dr Crokes gave TCG a right good going over on Sunday. They exchanged the first couple of points but after that..............nasty business. Three first half goals saw the contest won before the break.

From a personnel point of view it was good to get to see Colm Cooper, who strolled through the match dropping in the occasional classy touch, as it's unlikely London are will run into Kerry anytime soon! The DC front three  (Brady, Cooper, Doolan???) were very good.

Decent crowd will a good showing from Kerry.

TCG put in a shift but were simply outclassed.

Ok, thanks. But how is the competition structured? If we arrive at province winners (4?). How to you get quarter finals? In the County Championship London play in Connaught, but in this Club Championship they appear to get a wild card. Still not sure I get it!

Sorry to be a bit dense, but can someone explain this competition please.

I was under the impression that each county provided a winner who then competed in a knock out system. Someone previously described it as being like the Champions League.

However  the London winners appear to be playing Dr Crokes (Kerry)/Castlehaven (Cork) in a quarter final. So are they playing the Munster  winners? I don't think Tir Chonaill Gaels have played a match since winning the London Championship.

Again sorry, but I'd like to understand what I'm watching!

[London Senior Football Championship Final]

Some one asked me the other day if I watched club football in London. As I didn't I felt I perhaps I should.

London Senior Football Championship Final

Tir Chonaill Gaels 1-15 v Kingdom Kerry Gaels 1-8 (H/T 1-6 - 0-2)

The first thing to point out about this match was that the crowd seemed much bigger than the one that attend London's qualifier against Antrim in the Championship. It was a double header but I still found this a bit surprising

The match itself was a tetchy affair, littered with niggley fouls and handbags. TCG set the pace hitting the post from a free in the opening minute and dominating the early exchanges. 5 points and a well taken goal saw TCG go in at half time with a seven point lead which Kingdom never recovered.

However the turning point of the match came at the end of the half when Kevin Waldron (sorry if I've got the name wrong) saw red for a blatant punch. KKG were reduced to 13 in the latter stages their semi-final, but having to play over half the game a man short was always going to be to much.

KKG opened the second half scoring but were then on the end of a TCG scoring onslaught. Eight unanswered in 15 minutes ended the match as a contest.

That said KKG dug deep with 4 points and a goal without reply. A couple minutes after their goal Kingdom put a point over the bar from inside the small rectangle when a goal looked certain. In the end TCG held their nerve to run out deserved winners by 7 points.

I understand that Tir Chonaill Gaels will now represent London in an All Ireland Club Championship. Is this a valued competition?

The All Ireland Club football Championship would be the equivalent of the Champions league, only that its the champions from each county represented and nothing else and its Knock out fooball. The London champions always play in the Connacht Club Championship, the same way as London play in Connacht for the County championship. Tit Chonaill will be playing in the next few weeks,

So do we have a qualifier system as we do in the Championship, or do the four provincial winners go into the semi finals?

[London Senior Football Championship Final]

Some one asked me the other day if I watched club football in London. As I didn't I felt I perhaps I should.

London Senior Football Championship Final

Tir Chonaill Gaels 1-15 v Kingdom Kerry Gaels 1-8 (H/T 1-6 - 0-2)

The first thing to point out about this match was that the crowd seemed much bigger than the one that attend London's qualifier against Antrim in the Championship. It was a double header but I still found this a bit surprising

The match itself was a tetchy affair, littered with niggley fouls and handbags. TCG set the pace hitting the post from a free in the opening minute and dominating the early exchanges. 5 points and a well taken goal saw TCG go in at half time with a seven point lead which Kingdom never recovered.

However the turning point of the match came at the end of the half when Kevin Waldron (sorry if I've got the name wrong) saw red for a blatant punch. KKG were reduced to 13 in the latter stages their semi-final, but having to play over half the game a man short was always going to be to much.

KKG opened the second half scoring but were then on the end of a TCG scoring onslaught. Eight unanswered in 15 minutes ended the match as a contest.

That said KKG dug deep with 4 points and a goal without reply. A couple minutes after their goal Kingdom put a point over the bar from inside the small rectangle when a goal looked certain. In the end TCG held their nerve to run out deserved winners by 7 points.

I understand that Tir Chonaill Gaels will now represent London in an All Ireland Club Championship. Is this a valued competition?

[should]

I don't live in London, so sadly not. But the general feeling seems to be that the game is getting stronger. The main issue this season seems to be getting the bloody games played with all the rain.

London have certainly improved in the brief time I've been watching. This season Leitrim should have been beaten and Antrim certainly could have been beaten! Both were lost. London need to learn how to get over the line! I think that last season's captain , Sean McVeigh (an Antrim man?) has returned to Ireland. He'll be a big loss to Londain and I'm sure he would make the Antrim panel next season.

As for club football, I would like to watch some but I'm a victim of geography.

You do realise London beat Fermanagh only last year, right?

Yes i'm fully aware of that win. The first in 30 something years! But it was a qualifier, they need to win a Connaught Championship game! 

[should]

I don't live in London, so sadly not. But the general feeling seems to be that the game is getting stronger. The main issue this season seems to be getting the bloody games played with all the rain.

London have certainly improved in the brief time I've been watching. This season Leitrim should have been beaten and Antrim certainly could have been beaten! Both were lost. London need to learn how to get over the line! I think that last season's captain , Sean McVeigh (an Antrim man?) has returned to Ireland. He'll be a big loss to Londain and I'm sure he would make the Antrim panel next season.

As for club football, I would like to watch some but I'm a victim of geography.