1st round Senior Championship vs Parnells

This Sunday saw the opening round of the London Ladies Senior Championship when Holloway Gaels took on Parnells in Greenford. Holloway got off to a flying start and were the first to register on the scoreboard with two points from play in quick succession from half forward Áine Maguire. Holloway continued to dominate with more scores coming from play by Anne-Marie Fitzgerald and Sheila Walsh. By now however Parnells were starting to get into the game and managed a point from play, and continued to capitalise on mistakes made by the Gaels, resulting in a goal for the 2014 British and London Senior Champions.  Holloway maintained the majority of possession in the first half but a series of wides allowed Parnells back into the game and a gap in defence left another goal in the back of the Holloway net. A free from Caroline Hanley settled the Gaels and in the closing minutes of the first half, there was a revival in the Holloway team which resulted in an excellent point from play from captain Patricia McCarthy. This was followed up by a Holloway sideline ball that was worked swiftly into the Holloway full forward line and a powerful boot by Christina Duffy found the back of Parnell’s goal and left Holloway trailing by just one point heading into the half time break; half time score Parnells 2-4, Holloway Gaels 1-6.  

The 2nd half opened with a determined force by the Holloway midfield and forwards and some great passing resulted in another goal by Duffy which pushed Holloway into the lead once again. This was shortly followed up by two more goals by Holloway full forward Aoife Donnelly, who played a fantastic game throughout despite suffering an injury in the first half. However Parnells were about to prove their worth as defending Senior Champions and hit back with two quick points from play. They  continued to find a route through to the Holloway goal and a series of goals left them back in the lead; the Gaels now had to dig deep to get back into the game. Holloway had some good passages of play in the 2nd half and continued to compete until the end. Another point from Holloway’s Aine Maguire was not enough as Parnells began to pull away and the final whistle blew ending Parnells 6-8 Holloway 4-7.

Team: Caitriona Donnellan, Brenda Murtagh, Sylvia O'Sullivan, Joanne Healy, Caroline McKay, Emma Shorthall, Karen Treacy, Aileen Brady, Patricia McCarty, Anne-Marie Fitzgerald, Caroline Hanley, Áine Maguire, Christina Duffy, Aoife Donnelly, Sheila Walsh. Substitutes: Hannah Fahey, Kathleen Dunn, Sorcha Durrant, Emily De Caires, Nicky O'Byrne. 


A lot of positives can be taken from the game; there was some excellent movement and link up play in the forwards, some great ball won at the centre of the field by Holloways midfield and half-backs and the Holloway defence battled tirelessly against the Parnell’s pressure in the 2nd half. Some fantastic saves from keeper Caitriona Donnellan kept Parnells from pushing further ahead.  The team now look ahead to next Sunday 17th May when they take on Fr. Murphys in the 2nd round of the championship.