A Place of Standing

This is the first year that North London’s Holloway Gaels have fielded two teams, entering an Intermediate and Junior side for the 2021 League and Championship. Anne Marie Dargan, a member of the Holloway Junior Management team stated, “traditionally we struggled at times to even have enough numbers to have one full team.” She went on to say “when the young Irish started moving into places like Fulham, that was a real game changer.” Holloway Gaels are not relying on established gaelic players but also making use of players from other disciplines such as soccer and trying to pull in a diverse pool of players rather than just Irish or London Irish. Holloway have a rule of welcoming newcomers and have also started nurturing young players, such as those from North London Shamrocks, by volunteering to coach younger players. The results can be seen in a club that now boasts over 70 playing members, as well as a strong feeling of togetherness. For many, when nothing else has been open the past year, sports and the clubs that surround them have been a lifeline for interaction and the sustenance of people's mental health. A player that has a sense of belonging to a club and feels supported is likely to do better in other attributes as well.

Holloway Junior’s have made history by existing but are also on course to creating some magic, securing a second win in the 2021 Championship in their first year of existence. A win on Saturday against Tara’s in Cayton Road, was the perfect follow up to a strong performance by the Intermediates against Thomas McCurtains. Holloway Juniors held firm after some second half pressure to win on a score line of Holloway Gaels 5-9 to Tara’s 3-13. However, like many a match there were highlights and lowlights along the way.

The highlights of the day were the performances of this new team, who are getting stronger and more in sync with every match. Holloways chose to take the ball through the middle of the field, in what were trying conditions at times, as the rain made for a slippy ball on the pitch. Some notable performances came from Kat Bradshaw, with her stunning ability to carry a ball through the midfield and forward lines. Kate O Brien is another name that popped up throughout the match, even after a first-half injury led to her having her fingers strapped, but valiantly played on. Yvonne Tevlin, Mary-Ellen Cannon and Rachel O'Donnell all featured in driving up the scoreboard that led to a 13-point lead at half time. However, the midfielders and forwards were by no means the only shining lights of the day, the defenders were fiercely determined with Emily De Caires, a co-captain showing magnificent leadership in the backline alongside Sarah Morrissey, with some borrowed gloves, who stopped many Tara attacks with her superb reading of the game and positioning. Mairead O Donnell in goals showed focus and ability in her many saves and most vitally her accurate, long driving kickouts down the field began many Holloway attacks. A nerve biting end to the game was in store but Holloway held strong to win the game by 2 points.

While the score-line, membership numbers, and creation of a team is a success this is not the only win. The win is the creation of a cohesive team with social capital where players are learning new skills, alongside learning about themselves and others. Irish Londoners have arguably been unique in mixing with other nationalities in groups to create an inclusive way of living throughout history, in a way that championed diversity before it was the cool buzzword it is today. The creation of two teams and enviable score lines are not the only win for Holloway Gaels ladies. It is the creation and acceptance of new ways, new thinking, and new people and them embracing this that is their strength and could quite possibly be the beginnings of one of the strongest squads a ladies gaelic club has ever created. Players with a sense of belonging and connection will play for the person beside them and with them, rather than for just the win itself. A place of standing may be the key to their ongoing success both on and off the pitch.

​By
Jasmine Morgan