Derry company Specialist Joinery retain Berkeley Group UK GAA 7's title in Hazelwood
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Derry company Specialist Joinery retain Berkeley Group UK GAA 7's title in Hazelwood

 

IN the magnificent facility of Hazelwood, Berkeley Homes held the third annual Gaelic football 7's tournament on Friday.

The foundation raises money for charitable causes as well as making a donation to various factions of London GAA, one of the main organisers being Lorcan Mulvey, a current London inter-county footballer.

A total of 12 teams, representing companies in the construction industry, started out in two groups of six, with first throw-in at 1pm.

Last year's winners, Specialist Joinery from Derry, eventually met Birmingham-based MPB in the first semi final.

Early on, it looked like the visitors from Derry were in trouble when MPB – playing against a stiff breeze – scored two quick goals, only for Specialist to send over some long range points to end the half only a point down at 2-04 to 0-09.

The second-half was equally as tight with the Derry team just poking their noses in front and sealing it with a goal on the final whistle to win by four points.

Last year's runners up Maylim took on Errigal in the other semi-final, which they won to set up the same paring in the final as in 2015.

The final was a tremendous game of football, with Maylim going ahead with an early goal, but a very confident Specialist Joinery never panicked and kept taking long range scores, eventually retaining their trophy by a one-point margin.

This year's event raised fund's for Guy's and St Thomas's Albert Ward and Palliative Team in memory of former employee Giuseppe Venturino, who passed away in February of this year.

The foundation also made a donation to the London Minors and to London Underage Ladies Football Development.