After two very successful pre-season tournaments, hosted by Erin go Bragh and Tara, the camogie season kicked off in earnest last weekend, with the start of the newly-created Spring League.

 

With only three senior teams competing in London competitions, but eight junior teams, the County Board have attempted to redress the balance by introducing a third, 12-a-side, competition, which sees all 11 teams compete in a two-group, single round robin, league structure. The rules of the competition specify that the clubs with both junior and senior teams, Croydon and Tara, are only permitted to have 5 senior players on the pitch at any one time, thus ensuring that full senior teams aren't competing against less developed junior teams. It is hoped this will result in a more even split of games for all players in London, whether graded junior or senior; participation is the over-arching objective.

 

The first game of the weekend saw John Mitchels of Birmingham take on Tara A at Páirc na hÉireann on Saturday. John Mitchels got off to a very strong start with centre forward Emma Carroll getting two early goals. Tara responded well getting two goals of their own but at the end of the game it was John Mitchels who won with a 2 point lead. The scorers for Tara were Helen Murphy, Emer Kelly, Mary Fenton and Denise Gilligan. Emma Carroll had a cracking game being responsible for all of John Mitchel's scores.

 

On Sunday, Croydon's two teams were in action at Tír Chonaill Park, Greenford. Unfortunately, Fr. Murphy's were unable to field competitively due to the unavailability of a number of players, but a keenly contested challenge game ensued, with Croydon Celts emerging victorious. Scorers on the day for Croydon were Anne Browne, Michaela Murtagh, Elaine Dunphy, Sarah McGovern and Aisling Cotter, while Fr. Murphy's scorers were Mairead Hogan, Niamh McGrath and Aoife Linnane.

 

In the second of the day's games, Croydon Gaels defeated an understrength Bros. Pearse team. While the score line was heavily in Croydon's favour at the end, it was by no means a fair reflection of the game, as Bros. Pearse certainly had their moments of dominance, and battled valiantly right to the end. Scorers for Croydon were Elaine Egan, Angela Kerr, Aisleen Sheehan, Averil Glynn and Maeve McEnery.

 

Other fixtures over the weekend saw points gained for Green Isle over Erin go Bragh, while Fullen Gaels and Tara B will re-fix their game, to take place at a Manchester venue.

 

Next weekend sees the second round of matches, with five games down for decision. On Saturday in Greenford, Tara's A and B teams take on Bros. Pearse and Fr. Murphy's at 11.00 am and 12.15 pm, respectively, while Croydon travel to Holly Lane, Birmingham for their double header; Croydon Celts take on Erin go Bragh (11.00 am) and Croydon Gaels face newly-formed Liverpool Wolfe Tones (12.15 pm). At Páirc na hÉireann, also on Saturday, Fullen Gaels of Manchester play Green Isle (11.00 am).

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