London Senior Camogie League - Tara (1-2) v Fr Murphy’s (2-5)

Tara v Fr Murphy’s was the first match in the diary for the 2005 London Senior Camogie season and a well fought and competitive game was in store for those who came out to support.

From the throw in it was clear that this was going to be a fierce battle with both sides hungry for a win. The natural elements of the wind played its part in the game, with Fr Murphy’s choosing to play with the advantage of the wind in the first half.

Tara’s captain Emma Fitzgerald playing in the back line led by example throughout the game and alongside Jenny Black, Sandy Jones, Lisa Sherry & Ciara O’Shea helped protect the Tara goalie Sinead Collins and keep Murphy’s influential forward players of Edel Reale & Maria Hughes out.

Centre field Tipp duo of Mariee Dwyer and Ann Gleeson battled hard against fellow county players Emma McDade & Grainne Small, with the latter taking some find points early on, but it was Fr Murphy’s Chuckie that opened the scoring with a goal after a goal line scramble. Edel Reale scored Murphy’s second goal and Tara knew they would have to raise their game if they were going to be in with a chance of beating their opposition. Mariee Dwyer quickly answered by a point leaving Murphy’s with the upper hand at half time.

Second half Tara’s Suzanne Behan moved out to midfield to close mark Grainne Small and with Mariee Dwyer and Emma Fitzgerald clearing many balls out of Tara’s defence gave Tara a chance to put the pressure on and Rosie Naughton scored a beauty of a point followed shortly by a great goal by Ann Gleeson to take Tara marginally behind.

Tara forwards of Julie Curtin, Orla McCormack and Sheila Fernandes did their best to penetrate the Murphy’s goal but it was a tough task and their goalie made a number of excellent saves. Right up until the final whistle blew both teams put in a tremendous effort and Tara were unfortunate not to capitalise on their possession.

Tara were disappointed not to walk away with the points although having said that this was a very respectable score-line for Tara who were missing 4 key players and who found the raised level of senior camogie difficult having just been promoted.

Tara: Sinead Collins, Emma Fitzgerald, Ciara O’Shea, Jenny Black, Suzanne Behan, Sandy Jones, Lisa Sherry, Catherine Dwyer, Mariee Dwyer, Ann Gleeson, Orla McCormack, Julie Curtin, Rosie Naughton, Sheila Fernandes, Coleen Ryan

May 16, 2005