2nd round of Senior Championship vs Fr. Murphy's

At 12:30pm on a sunny day in Greenford the 2nd round of the Senior Championship got off to a fast paced start. Holloway quickly gained possession leading to a point scored by Emma Mulhern in the 2nd minute. Soon a free to Fr Murphy’s was intercepted by Holloway to set up Cliona Twoig for the 2nd Holloway point. Some great tackling by Áine Maguire in the 9th minute resulted in Cliona Twohig securing her 2nd point. Seconds later Murphy’s won a free which was narrowly wide. Holloway were on the attack again in the 10th minute with some great through play from Caroline Hanley to Caroline McKay to Aisling Clifford who scored the next point for Holloway. The kick out was intercepted by Aileen Brady who used her sweet left foot to place the ball over the bar. Still Holloway attacked. This time Sheila Walsh used her nifty footwork to score a point in the 15th minute, followed by another point by Aileen Brady in the 16th minute. Shortly after Murphy’s were on the attack, but Holloway's Aoife Donnelly was quick to intercept in defence. The ball was moved well between Twohig, Caroline McKay, Emma Mulhern; eventually setting up  Caroline Hanley for yet another Holloway score.

Murphy’s were on the attack in the 20th minute of the first half. Their first attempt was blocked by Aoife Donnelly giving Murphy’s a second chance to get points on the board. However their shot was narrowly wide because of some great pressure from Brenda Murtagh and Sylvia O'Sullivan. Another great kick out by Caitriona Donnlan was quickly attacked by Holloway and passed down the field between Emma Shortall, Karen Treacy and Anne- Marie Fitzgerald to set up Emma Mulhern for another point. 24 minutes in Holloway’s Aileen Brady planted the ball into the the right corner for a Holloway goal. Fr Murphy’s intercepted the kick out but were tackled seconds later. This allowed Aisling Clifford in for another point in the 26th minute and yet another in the 27th. 


28 minutes in a kick out was caught by Anne Marie Fitzgerald and placed over the bar. Some great defending from Murphy’s in the next minute prevented Anne Marie from a second. As the first half was drawing to an end Murphy’s passed the ball well around the goal. However again their shot at goal was narrowly wide with some outstanding Holloway defending. The first half ended with another point for Holloway by Emma Mulhern and ended Holloway Gaels 1-14 to Father Murphy’s 0-0.

The second half saw Holloway gain possession from the off. In the first minute Caroline Hanley used her left foot to score an impressive point, setting the match off to another exciting start. Two minutes in and the nifty Emma Mulhern dodged the Murphy's defence to secure another point for the unstoppable Holloway. This time the Holloway kick out was held well by Murphy’s and passed up towards the forwards resulting in an attempt that was marginally wide of the post. Holloway were quick to take advantage of the kick out, setting up Cliona Twohig for a sensational point. 8 minutes in and a free to Holloway, taken by Anne Marie Fitzgerald curled to the left and passed narrowly wide of the post. Ten minutes gone and the experienced Aisling Clifford used her skills to place another ball over the bar and another point on the score board for Holloway. This was followed by an exceptional point from sweet Caroline (McKay). In the 16th minute Holloway unleashed the artillery bringing on Christina Duffy for number 3 Aoife Donnelly. The 16th minute of the match was marked by a point scored by Anne Marie and a second from Caroline Hanley. 


Despite some great play from Murphy’s, Holloway stayed strong and continued to dominate the play. In the 18th minute, Angie Fenton was substituted for Sheila Walsh. It was 20 minutes into the second half when Fr. Murphy’s secured their first point. Seconds later some great defensive pressure from Holloway prevented a second point for Murphy's. Holloway substitutions continued. This time Nikki O'Byrne and Emily De Caires came on for Aisling Clifford and Karen Treacy respectively. The 28th minute saw a point Holloway point for Aileen Brady. The second half and match ended with a final point for Murphy’s; final score Holloway Gaels 1-22 Murphy’s 0-2.


Next up for Holloway is Parnell's in the Senior League on Wednesday 20th May in Greenford at 7.15pm.