Tara Make it Six in a Row
October 13, 2014London Senior Camogie Final
Tara 3-8 Croydon 0-7
The result was to say the least flattering but Tara were well deserving of the title for the sixth time in succession when they produced a quality second half performance over a gallant Croydon outfit that just lacked the scoring power necessary to take the title back to South London for the first time since 2005. Last year Tara joined Brother Pearses five in a row titles and this year took the record on their own to become the first London club to make it six in succession.
However, this title did not come as easy as the scoreline suggests as Croydon made them fight all the way and a goal in added time provided a flattering result for the victors. Indeed, had Croydon converted a penalty with a goal seven minutes from the final whistle it would have given Tara supporters a nervous final minutes, but Elaine Dunphy's blistering effort went over the bar instead of under and with it went Croydon's last chance to create an upset.
The game was delicately poised in the opening half with an opportunist goal, giving Tara a two point advantage at the break. With little between the sides, it was Tara that made the better use of opportunities and when they scored their second goal twelve minutes from time, they put a little bit of daylight between the sides. The Tara attack had by far the better of possession, but they found it hard to overcome a resolute Croydon defence, where Ruth Kilkenny excelled. However, lack of supply from the midfield area and a lack of penetration in the Croydon attack left Tara with easy option after their management opted to take out a forward to play a third midfielder as a sweeper, but it was Tara that benefitted most from the decision. Early in the game, when both teams played their players in the conventional role, it was Croydon that looked the most promising. While Fiona Morrissey looked dangerous in the Tara attack, switches in the Croydon defence quickly closed down the threat that the reigning champions displayed. The game swung in Tara's favour after Croydon moved Caoilin O'Neill out from her starting corner forward position and Danielle O'Sullivan's threat in the Croydon attack was closed down as Tara used the sweeper with great effect.
Croydon played with the assistance of the breeze in the opening half and Una McGouran had taken the advantage with a point after two minutes. Although Noreen O'Keeffe and Roisin O'Grady replied for Tara, Croydon took the advantage again when Anne Browne and Elaine Dunphy left Croydon with the advantage at the end of the opening quarter. The Croydon attack lost shape after they opted for the sweeper approach and the only score in the second quarter came when Noreen O'Keeffe was on hand to smash a breaking ball to the Croydon net that gave the reigning champions a 1-2 to 0-3 half time lead.
Fiona Morrissey and Elaine Dunphy swapped early scores before Tara scored three points in quick succession. Approaching the three quarter stage another Dunphy minor left Croydon just four points adrift. With Caroline Kelly dominant at midfield, Fiona Morrissey added another Tara point before the game swung decisively in Tara's favour twelve minutes from the end. Croydon goalkeeper Bridget had made a super save from Roisin O'Grady and followed up by blocking the rebound but the ball broke to Eilis O'Neill who broke the Croydon hearts with a second goal after wonderful defending from the Croydon defence. When Croydon were awarded a penalty they needed a goal but Elaine Dunphy's effort only yielded a point and another goal from Fiona Morrissey deep in injury time gave Tara a flattering scoreline at the end.
Tara were best served by Joni Traynor, Helen Murphy and Sinead Darcy in defence. Caroline Kelly was outstanding at midfield supplying quality possession for Noreen O'Keeffe, Roisin O'Grady, Fiona Morrissey and Eilis O'Neill to make maximum use of possession. Croydon had quality defenders in Marion Twomey, Ruth Kilkenny, Elaine Dunphy and Fiona Kearney, while Una McGouran and Caoilinn O'Neill tried hard around the centre, with Angela Kerr, Anne Brown and Danielle O'Sullivan the best of the attack.
Following the sweep of wins by both the Tara junior and senior teams, the senior Tara side will face Clanmaurice, Kerry in the Quarter Final to be played in Ruislip on Saturday, 25th October, time currently fixed for 2pm (subject to change).
Photos of the match are available on the London Camogie Facebook page.
Tara: D Gilligan: E Kelly, L Hawkes, S Darcy (0-1); J Traynor, H Murphy, G Hamilton; C Kelly (capt) (0-1), H Hamilton; O Tynan, N O'Keeffe (1-1), R O'Grady (0-1); A Nyhan, F Morrissey (1-3), E O'Neill (1-1).
Subs: N Dolan for Hawkes (h-t).
Croydon: B Hehir; E Power, M Twomey, F Kearney; E Dunphy (0-4), R Kilkenny, C Curtin; U McGouran (0-1), A Glynn; A Kerr, A Browne (capt) (0-1), E Egan; A Touhy, D O'Sullivan (0-1), C O'Neill.
Subs: M Murtagh for Touhy (45 mins), R Barden for Glynn (52 mins).
Referee: B Collins (Bros Pearses).
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