Fr. Murphy’s hopes of winning the London Senior FootballChampionship for a fourth year in a row were hanging by a thread before theircrucial game against Holloway Gaels at Greenford on Wednesday 30thJune.
The champions managed to patch together a team, and with thehelp of the camogie girls – who line out against
Fr. Murphy’s were in control for long periods of the game,but a lively Holloway side gave them a few scares.
It took 13 minutes for the first score to arrive, a pointfor Fr. Murphy’s from the boot of Linda Tighe. This was followed by anotherfrom Claire Towey. The hard working Mary Keenan then battled with her markedwho was trying to clear a ball, blocked the clearance, and delivered to Toweywho put the ball into the back of the net.
Fiona Noone and Linda Tighe added further points which leftFr. Murphy’s leading 1-04 to no score after 24 minutes.
Holloway opened their account with a goal at the other end,to which Orna Tiernan replied with a similar score for the girls in purple andgold. However Holloway had the last score of the half with a goal and a pointto leave the score at the break 2-04 to 2-01 in Fr. Murphy’s favour.
Shortly after the restart Fiona Noone scored a point for theMurphy’s, but Angela Gordon replied with a great point for Holloway. LisaFinnegan goaled once more for Fr. Murphy’s while Ciara Holland and AislingClifford both hit points for Holloway at the other end, leaving them only threepoints behind with six minutes remaining.
Claire Towey increased the Murphy’s lead with a point from afree. This was the signal for Holloway to throw everything they had atMurphy’s. Stand in keeper Ruth Foley flicked a goal bound shot over the bar inthe dying minutes. The Murphy’s defence was magnificent, breaking down attacksand making clearances and fighting til the end. Camogie full-back EimearO’Higgins was found in the closing stages making a fine clearance as shetracked back from corner forward. Natalie O’Connor and Claire Towey wereoutstanding in the middle of the pitch.
The game finished with a final score Fr. Murphy’s 3-06Holloway Gaels 2-06. The dream of four-in-a-row is still alive.
Fr. Murphy’s: Ruth Foley, Bronagh McLernon, Cathy O’Neill, EileenRowsome, Jenny Hannon, Sinead White, Lisa Finnegan, Claire Towey, NatalieO’Connor, Eavan McCrudden, Fiona Noone, Orna Tiernan, Mary Keenan, Linda Tighe,Eimear O’Higgins.
