London Senior Camogie League - Tara (1-0) v Croydon (0-5)

It was an early start for the first of the Championship matches in Greenford on Sunday 15 May 2005. The visitors had travelled from Croydon and were keen to put right their opening game defeat and Tara were also out for revenge having also been narrowingly beaten the previous week. Tara introduced new team coach Martin Harrell who has taken over the reigns of the team.

It was Croydon’s Aileen Donnelly who put the ball over the bar from play for the first score of the match with about 5 minutes gone. Croydon’s backs were very strong and the Tara forwards knew from the start that this was not going to be an easy game. The next ten minutes of the match saw Tara put a number of balls wide, including Ann Gleeson’s 45 but with increased pressure Tara’s Ger Curtin got the goal which they fully deserved. Tara’s centre back Marie O Dwyer was obviously being targeted by Croydon and she took a number of tough knocks throughout the game. Croydon’s second point of the game was scored by Sue Keatley.

The Tara goalie Mags Leahy displayed excellent skills with strong puck outs and many clearances and she demonstrated why she was once the most feared player in London. The last few minutes of the first half saw the Tara backs Emma Fitzgerald, Brenda, Amie Curtin, Marie O Dwyer, Ann Breen and Michelle Adair under severe pressure but their grit and determination paid off and when the whistle went for half time it was only a point that separated the teams.

A useful half time talk by Martin Harrell and a few tactical changes were made and Tara were ready for the second half. The team came out fighting for every ball and despite the talents of their opposition gave as good as they got. The Tara captain Elaine Kelly had a tough job on Ann-Marie Dwyer, one of Croydon’s star players. Aileen Donnelly, a London player proved problematic for Tara and scored the third point for Croydon in excellent style. Sandy Jones switched with Michelle Adair to her usual position in the back line, Michelle’s strength ensured Tara’s forwards applied continuous pressure on Croydons defence.

The final score of 1-0 to 0-5 saw Tara lose their second consecutive game by just 2 points and hopefully under the guidance of new team Coach Martin, the Tara ladies aren’t far from their first victory in the Senior league. Today Tara missed key players of Susanne Behan, Lisa Sherry and Rosie Naughton, who would have been a thorn in the side for Croydon.

Squad: Maggie Leahy, Emma Fitzgerald, Brenda, Amie Curtin, Sandy Jones, Ann Breen, Mariee Dwyer, Michelle Adair, Catherine Dwyer, Ann Gleeson, Elaine Kelly, Sheila Fernandes, Kate Brennan, Ciara O Shea, Ger Curtin (1-0)

Junior Championship
After the Senior game, Tara Juniors took on Croydon Juniors also in the opening round of the Championship. As the rules dictate, Tara, having won promotion last year, had to undergo major regrading, leaving the Junior squad light in regard of experience. Nevertheless they put on a good display against a strong Croydon team with dual players of Marie McGrath and Mel Power taking Croydon's scores.

Squad: Nonie Dodwell, Aimee McGrath, Sandy Jones, Coleen Ryan, Orla McCormack, Julie Curtin, Clare O’Hare, Kate Brennan, Ruth John, Kelly Campbell, Jenny Critchley, Mags Howard, Sarah Macken.

May 28, 2005