When referee Gerry Higgins brought an end to last Sunday evenings pulsating senior championship clash at Monsignor Hynes Park between the home side and St Mary's  the home crowd erupted in celebration of an outstanding 2-06 to 0-08 win for Gaels. Both teams contributed hugely to an entertaining game played in conditions more typical of November than August. St Mary's played with the benefit of a strong wind in the first period and led by 0-05 to 1-01 at the interval with the home sides scores coming via an Alan McLaughlin free and a brilliantly finished goal by Gerard Brady. A spectacular point from out along the touchline from the same player thirty seconds into the second half set the tone for the remainder of the game as the home side dominated proceedings for long spells with captain Mark Quinn an inspiring figure in midfield. When a Dara Fallon effort was deflected to the net midway through the second period Gaels had a lead that the held to the finish. However it took two brilliant saves from goalkeeper Conor Laughlin to secure a great home victory. Well done to the entire panel and management team on a hardfought but deserved victory. Gaels now have four points from their first two group games but still have to play St Mary's away and Coolera/Strandhill at home before qualification for the knock out stages is secured. Team; C Laughlin, A Carway, G Gilsennan, J Kelly, J McLaughlin, J Brennan, D Fallon, C Burns, M Quinn (cpt) (0-01), J Gilsennan, N McLaughlin, J Brennan, A McLaughlin(0-03), G Brady (1-01), D Gilsennan(0-01), Subs: K Waters for N McLaughlin, C Herron for J Gilsennan, C Watters for A McLaughlin