Tara triumph in Junior League final

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Easy victory for locally based Camogie team

London Junior Camogie League Final
Sunday 14 November 2004 at Mitcham
Croydon 1-1 v 5-8 Tara

The match was rearranged at short notice to take place in Mitcham so the Croydon girls had the benefit of home advantage. It was a very cold, crisp day and the supporters were frozen on the sideline but Tara were well up for the game and had their mind clearly focussed on taking the double, having won the championship earlier in the summer.

The ball was thrown in and the game was off to a cracking start with every ball being fought for. Tara opened the scores early on and succeeded in putting away 3 goals in quick succession. Only a few minutes into the game Tara’s Lisa Sherry got injured was replaced by Sinead Collins who did a good job out on the wing.

Tara were captained by Ann Gleeson who had a busy summer representing the London County team and the extra training showed, she led by example, exhibiting her skill and speed and managed on many occasions to raise the ball despite being surrounded by 3 of the opposition at any one time. She was rewarded by a personal tally of 4 points

The passing and team work were excellent on the day and Tara utilised their strengths to the full. Full forward Ger Curtin managed to score 2 goals in the first half and had a tough game against the full back, Lisa Maguire. Elaine Kelly scored a super goal from out the field rattling the back of the net. Rosie Naughton was unstoppable in the first half and massed a personal tally of 2 goals and 4 points and Croydon found it difficult to mark her.

When the whistle went for half time Tara were well up on scores, 5 goals and 4 points in total, however the half time talk was one of caution to point out this match was not over yet and knew that Croydon would not give up that easily. The first half was mainly won and lost in the mid field and forward line and the back line were not too busy, that all changed in the second half of the game.

There was not much hanging around between the two halves as it was too cold and the ref threw the ball in to get the game going again. The momentum for Tara did not seem to flow in the second half and the Croydon girls fought back hard. All credit goes to the girls in black and white as they never gave up despite the large score line. Tara found it difficult to score with our forwards being tightly marked. Croydon were given a boost early on when they scored their first point of the game which was followed shortly afterwards by a goal which worried the Tara players who knew this was not going to be an easy second half. All credit must go to the back line of Tara who fought all the way to the final whistle. Sheila had an excellent game at centre back, Michelle Adair dazzled everyone with her skill and determination and ball winning skills, Amie Curtin had a great game against the most skilful forward for Croydon, Marie McGrath, who scored their point but never stopped fighting and cleared the ball. Full back Emma Fitzgerald who was carrying an injury throughout the game battled on and made a number of crucial tackles. Kate Brennan in the goal played a stormer only letting one goal in and blocked the ball and swept it out to the wings a number of times.

The woman of the match award must go to Ann Gleeson, whose endless work rate and excellent coverage of the pitch helped keep Croydon at bay.

It has been an excellent season for Tara with two pieces of silverware to show for their efforts and having won the championship have been promoted to the senior league so are looking forward to 2005.

Tara Captain Ann Glesson accepted the League Shield from London Camogie President Etty Kelly and Ann thanked the management team of Tommy McConnon & Coach Richard Barnes, who have trained the girls throughout the year and to all the girls themselves for their hard work and efforts. She also praised Tir Chonaill Park for their support and facilities and to Cara Personnel for sponsoring the new team kit.

November 26, 2004