NEWS & REPORTS 2004
2004


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Victory for Tara in Championship Final

Junior Championship 25 July 2004

Tara 4-6    v   2-1  Pearses                                                                   

Having had a fantastic win in the semi final expectations were high of this Tara team and they were going into the London Junior Championship final as the firm favourites.  This can work to the advantage of the underdogs who have nothing to lose and everything to play for.  Tara got into the final in 2003 and lost to Croydon on the day so they were out to prove a point.  Under the captaincy of Anne Gleeson (who played for the London team this year) and vice-captain of Elaine Kelly who also represented London the toss was taken and the ball thrown in.  The bookies favourites had alot of support on the side line which was very encouraging.  Tara got off to a slowish start and took at least 5 minutes to settle into the game. However it did not take them long to get into their stride and open the scoring with a well taken point.  A number of goals were to follow with fantastic scores during the match coming from Ger Curtin, Catherine Dwyer and Elaine Kelly.  Anne Gleeson made a number of  very strong runs to score a number of well taken points which Pearses had no answer to.  As the match was played on  a very small pitch the Pearses puck outs penetrated deep into their forward  line which was dangerous on a number of occasions for Tara.  Sheila Fernandes in the centre back controlled the area and nothing much got past her.  Having realised there was no way through the centre, Pearses used the wings a little more and targetted their blond corner forward.  Sandy Jones marked her tight and had a tough job for the morning.  Richard Barnes, the Coach was screaming advice from the sideline.  Conditions were good, although very warm and sunny which zapped the energy from the team.

It was a very fast moving game where Pearses fought for every ball and at times seemed like they were hungrier to win than Tara..  They had a very strong team and the goalie made a  number of vital saves.  Perhaps due to the heat there was a number of lapses in concentration for the Tara team, especially nearing the end of the first half which Pearses took advantage of and scored two goals in really quick succession which rattled Kate Brennan's net and shook the backline temporarily.  As the first half drew to a close and the whistle was blown Tara were just 4 points ahead.  Richard gave the team a good grilling at half time and told the backline to wake up.

Going into the second half it was all to play for.  Tara went into the second half with all guns blazing and dominated the game.  Pearses were not giving up without a fight though and the Tara team, despite being tired showed great guts and determination to hold out until the final whistle went.  Kate showed a few fancy moves in the goal catching the ball and taking it out to the side where she cleared her line.  Emma Fitzgerald, in full back was being dragged out from in front of the goal by her marker but had a fantastic game and supplied the forward line with some great dropping balls.

The determination of Michelle Adair lifted the back line as she cleared ball after ball with great skill, blasting it into the Tara forward line.  The forwards fought away but were marked tightly by Pearses.  The mid field worked well together through out the game and did alot of running, there will be a few sore muscles on Monday.

It was a good, fairly clean competitive match which saw the stronger team win.  Tara not only take home the glory, medals and the cup but also a promotion to the senior league for 2005!!!

Grainne Small from Fr Murphys had the tough task of refereeing the game which was done to a very high standard and a job that is never an easy one especially when there is so much at stake.

Riley Construction sponsored a beautiful Man of the Match trophy which was deservedly  presented to Tara's midfield player Ann Gleeson.

A championship final is never won just by the 12 players on the pitch, it is the entire panel who make a contribution.  Special thanks should go to Richard who has put alot of effort in every Wednesday night since last November,  through hail, rain and snow. Manager Tommy McConnon, Alison Whitty who is still out injured and Mags Heneghan who is due her baby in 6 weeks time.  Also thanks to Emma's pals who held the banner!!  Another thank you must go to our sponsors, Conways Bar who provided lovely kit bags to the Tara ladies and also as "We are the champions" was played in the bar they popped the bubbly all night to mark the occassion.

Tara are in action again this Sunday and are looking to going for the double and taking the league title as well.

Panel:  Kate Brennan, Sandy Jones, Sheila Fernandes, Michelle Adair, Emma Fitzgerald, Sinead Collins, Lisa Sherry, Anne Gleeson (0-4), Susanne Behan, Elaine Kelly (1-0), Rosie Naughton (0-2), Catherine O'Dwyer (1-0), Ger Curtin (2-0), Tracy Barrett, Colleen Ryan, Nonie Dodwell and Ciara O'Shea.

 

Tara 10-10 v 1-01 Croydon Sunday 4 July C'Ship Semi

It was all to play for in the semi final of the London Junior championship with Tara playing their rivals Croydon who are defending champions - the conditions were not ideal as there was a strong wind but the pitch at Greenford was in perfect condition.

Tara had all players available to them except for Alison who is still injured and Ger and Amy who are holidays so we had a strong squad of 16 girls all willing to play their part. Tara lost the toss and Croydon chose to play with the wind in the first half, which at first appeared to be an advantage.

Tara got off to a very strong start putting away a goal and a point in the first few mintues, it was clear from the start that Tara were dominating many areas of the pitch with every person playing a strong role. The Galway duo of Elaine and young Rosy (who celebrated her birthday on Sunday) ran a muck on the pitch and the Croydon backs could not handle their quick turns and amazing scoring ability and between them clocked up many of Taras scores in the first half. Catharine made an impact in the full forward line as did wee Lisa on the wing

The midfield of Suzanne, Anne and Sinead were very strong and managed to mark Croydon out of the game. Anne had a magnificient game scoring many points from far out the field but defending excellently when it was called upon. The puck outs from the full back for Croydon were excellent and managed with the wind to fall near the box each time, with both the wind and the hard ground these balls posed a threat each time there was a puck out but all credit goes to the back line of Emma, Michelle, Shelia and Sandy who fought hard for every ball. The backs and forwards practice at training came into play, all credit to Richard and his hard work as we played as a team backing each other up and fighting strong.

Tara had a good team talk at half time and decided to play the second half as if there was a clean sleet as we all know what can happen in a game of two halfs and Croydon were not going to let us win without a fight. They came out fighting in the second half and the scores were not as easy for Tara to get. Croydon did manage to pull back a goal and a point but the too powerful Tara managed to clock up a final score of 10 goals and 10 points. Tara made a number of substitutions in the second half with Roisin in the back line and Tracey and Ciara up front where they managed to score a goal or two.

Roisin did an excellent job of reffing the match which is always a tough call but as usual she was very fair and the standard very high.  A mention to Croydon's goalie Mary MacArthur who was the busiest player on the pitch and despite the scoreline made numerous great saves throughout the game, but unfortunately for Mary a Tara player always seemed to be on hand for the follow-up.

The final takes place in two weeks time on Sunday 25 July, venue and time to be agreed. All support welcome to see Tara battle it out for the London Junior Championship title and promotion to the senior league.


Croydon3-2 v 5-8 Tara Sunday 25 April 2004 Championship 

The day of the 1st round of the championship dawned bright and sunny. The match took place in Tara's home ground at Tir Chonaill Gaels at Greenford, thus the home team having the advantage of the home crowd. It was a beautiful day and many of the Tara team were sun kissed from the previous day where Richard put them through their paces during a there hour training session in the baking heat. It was a tough battle from the first whistle as Tara faced their greatest rivals in the London league, Croydon. Tara got off to a slow start only scoring a few points and Croydon managed to score the first goal. There was a lot of bunching as the match was played on the small pitch with twelve a side. The battle in mid field was definitely won by Tara's mid field duo of Elaine and Ann who both put the pressure on the Croydon mid field. Little Lisa was holding her own against the 6 footer Sinead from Croydon who managed a number of vital scores for the team from the south of London. Elaine scored a cracking goal from far out the pitch which boosted Tara. Sheila had a tough game in centre back with all the puck outs landing in her area but she handled the pressure well. Kate made a number of vital saves in the goal, we managed to see her legs for the first time this year (worth waiting for!) Sandy was playing at the full back position which was new for her but she made a number of excellent clearances through out the match. Amy and Roisin both played well as corner backs. The forward line of Coleen, Catharine, Ciara and Suzanne battled all the way. 

The score at half time was 2-5 to 2-1 with many of the scores coming from the mid field so the forwards knew that they had to go out in the second half and take the game to Croydon which is exactly what they did. It was the simple short passing on the ground that earned Tara a number of goals in the
second half with goals coming from Ciara, Catharine and Suzanne. Croydon did keep the pressure on despite Tara's lead and a good, clean, competitive game of hurling took place. Alison made a come back despite a knee injury which she picked up at the camogie tournament in Birmingham and played well up front. Ann Gleeson had a 100% record on frees and a number of excellent scores from play. The final score was 5-8 to Tara and 3-2 to Croydon. We would like to thank all our supporters for their words (screams) of encouragement through out the game.

Report by Suzanne Behan (Tara's Man of the Match)

Squad:  Kate Brennan, Roisin Commane, Sandy Jones, Aimee Curtin, Sheila Fernandes, Elaine Kelly, Ann Gleeson, Susanne Behan, Lisa Sherry, Ciara O Shea, Coleen Ryan, Catherine Dwyer, Allison Whitty.

Thanks to referee Roisin O'Neill and all the other match officials.

Tara laid on a lovely and varied supply of sandwiches for all, with thanks to the staff of Tir Chonaill Cafe staff.

Next game will be at the London Centenary Tournament on 23 May at Tir Chonaill Park but the previous Saturday is a big day for London camogie when the County team take on Derry at Ruislip. Tara will be presented by Ann Gleeson, Elaine Kelly, Catherine Dwyer and Rosie Naughton. Congratulations to Tara Coach Richard Barnes who is now a London Camogie Selector.

Pearses v Tara League Sunday 21 March 2004

Tara secured a win in their league game at Tir Chonaill Park, beating Pearses 8-3 to 0-0. At half time the lead was 4-2 to 0-0, with Ger Curtin scoring three goals, Coleen one and a point each from Elaine Kelly and Ann Gleeson.  

The second half saw a goal each from Sinead Collins and Tracey Barrett, with Catherine Dwyer netting 2 goals and a point from Elaine Kelly.  Tara also had an Ann Gleeson specialty goal following a free (are ye reading this Croydon?) disallowed in the second half as deemed a square ball - now who was in the square?  Answers on a postcard please. 

Well done to Coleen for her goal which was her first for Tara.  I think it was that walk from the station that woke her up and/or Richards hard work is paying off.

Congrats to Tracey Barrett for making her debut and scoring.  Roisin Commane also made her Tara debut.  

Thanks to Emma McDade of Fr Murphys for refereeing the game.

Squad: Kate Brennan, Sandy Jones, Michelle Adair, Roisin Commane, Sheila Fernandes, Sinead Collins (1-0), Ann Gleeson (C), Elaine Kelly, Lisa Sherry, Ger Curtin, Coleen Ryan, Catherine Dwyer, Ciara O Shea, Laura Robinson, Aimee Curtin, Tracey Barrett.