LONDON gave Knockmore a rare fright in the All Ireland club football championship quarter final at Ruislip yesterday, but the Mayo side eventually qualified to play Eire Og in the semi final.

A goal by former Fermanagh, player Tommy Maguire in the third minute gave Tir Chonaill Gaels a great start but Knockmore reduced the leeway with points by Padrag Brogan and Kevin O Neill after six minutes.

When top scorer Declan Sweeney took advantage of a defensive mix up to send a rasping shot past goalkeeper Austin Blake the visitors bandwagon began to roll. However, this reverse merely succeeded in making Tir Chonaill Gaels lift their game and inspired by the superb midfield play of Stephen McLoughlin - and Ray Jackson they rallied to leave the scores level at half time thanks to a late individual goal by half back Paddy Tinnelly.

The opening stages of the second half belonged to Knockmore and an early point by Declan Sweeney within two minutes of the restart followed immediately by a similar score by Kevin Staunton gave them the edge.

But the London side were not overawed and with only a point dividing the teams and two minutes left for play, they had a glorious opportunity of levelling the scores. But an uncharacteristic miss by free taker Paul Colman let Knockmore off the hook.

Then, in a last minute move, Knockmore took advantage of a long clearance from their goalkeeper to see midfielder Kevin Staunton travel 40 yards before sending the ball between the uprights for the crucial point.