On the 21st of March, Holloway Gaels hosted the annual 9-a-side Ann Dunning Memorial Tournament in Tír Chonnaill Gaels GAA Grounds, Greenford in London. Eight teams took part in the event; Holloway Gaels, Holloway Veterans, Kingdom Kerry Gaels, Dulwich Harps, Fr Murphy’s, Thomas McCurtains, St. Mary’s of Twickenham and Tir Chonaill Gaels.

Teams were divided into two groups of four, with the top two teams in each group progressing to the semi finals. Holloway Gaels progressed to face Tir Chonaill Gaels in the first semi-final, with Fr Murphy’s playing St. Mary’s in the second semi-final.

The tournament ended with a very sporting game played by Holloway Gaels and St. Mary’s of Twickenham. St. Mary’s performed to a consistently high level throughout the group phases and despite a valiant effort from the Holloway girls, they were too strong for the North London team.

After the final, the teams retreated to the Tír Chonnaill Gaels clubhouse where St. Mary’s captain Laura Gillepsie was presented with the Ann Dunning Cup. Laura spoke of the delight of being invited to take part in the tournament and how St. Mary’s were honoured to carry on the legacy of Ann Dunning. Player of the Tournament, as voted by the referees, was deservedly presented to Cathy Carey who had a flawless performance throughout the day.

Former Holloway player and clubmate of Ann’s, Bridget Browne, paid tribute to the organising committee of the tournament and club, and most significantly to Ann herself. Without the hard work and dedication of Ann and all the previous generations of Holloway Gaels players, the club would not be in the position it is today. By the end of the day, the club had raised an impressive sum to be donated to Cancer Research UK in memory of Ann.  Thank you to all who contributed to the collection on the day. 

Holloway Gaels held the 7th annual Ann Dunning Memorial tournament last Saturday the 21st March in Greenford. Eight clubs took part on the day with St. Mary’s of Twickenham emerging victorious in the final against Holloway Gaels.  The club would like to extend a huge thank you to all the teams who took part on a wintry day in Greenford and to all who donated to Cancer Research UK on the day.

Holloway Gaels are now back training for the 2015 season. Training takes place Monday and Wednesday evenings at 7pm and on Saturday mornings at 10am at Downhills Park N17 6AP. If interested in coming training please contact recruitmenthollowaygaels@gmail.com. All new players welcome.

The Aisling Foundation
Holloway Gaels have teamed up with homeless charity the Aisling Foundation and are selling raffle tickets to be entered into a draw for Rugby World Cup tickets. Speak to any member of the Holloway Gaels committee or call into the Quays on Holloway Road for more information.

New website

Holloway Gaels are very proud to unveil their new club website at www.hollowaygaels.org. If you have any old photos or articles about the club please send to mediahollowaygaels@gmail.com for inclusion on the new site.

Deepest sympathies

The club would like to extend deepest sympathies to the Fahey, Brady and Dunning families on their recent family bereavements. May those that have departed rest in peace.

For updates and further information please follow us on Twitter @HollowayGaels and add Holloway Gaels on Facebook.

On Friday the 6th March, Holloway Gaels took to the skies to travel to Italy for a pre-season tournament in Rome.  The tournament was hosted by S.S Lazio Calcio Gaelico with teams from Rovigo Gaelic Football club and Venetian Lionesses LGFC also taking part. Along with Eire Og GFC, a total of 34 men and women from both clubs travelled and a fantastic weekend was had by all, where they were overwhelmed by the hospitality and organization shown by the Italian teams.

On Saturday morning, a representative from Lazio met with the teams and escorted them to the playing grounds at Rome Rugby Club at Tre Fontane, where a game from the ladies home teams Lazio and Venetian Lionesses was already underway. This was a tightly contested battle between two teams quite new to the GAA scene but the ladies from Venice clinched the game with a 1 point win.

Under the watchful eye of team managers for the weekend, Ciara Holland and Sinead Gordon, Holloway Gaels then stepped out to play an amalgamation of both the Lazio and Venetian teams. Under blue skies, the Italian team played a good sporting game and fought right to the final whistle but a more experienced Holloway side proved stronger on the day and came out easy winners. Playing for Holloway Gaels was Bridget Browne, Brenda Murtagh, Nessa McHugh, Karen Treacy, Cliona Twohig, Sylvia O’Sullivan, Caroline McKay, Patricia McCarthy, Hannah Fahey, Caroline Hanley, Natalie Quinn, Aileen Brady, Kathleen Dunn. Substitutes used: Aisling Clifford and Áine Maguire.

The men’s teams then took to the field. This was a more competitive game, with some great passages of play and wonderful scores and while the Lazio men came very close, again a more experienced London side won out eventual winners. Representing Eire Og was Patrick Reynolds, Johnny Costello, John Bradley, Niall Murray, Nigel Drew, Eoin Conway, Peter Sweeny, Connie Mc Carthy, Liam Dunne, Julien Smyth, Sean Bradley, Dee Phone and Niall Gileece.

Following the tournament, all teams headed for the Roman teams sponsor, Scholars Lounge pub for the cup presentation. The Irish Ambassador to Italy Bobby McDonagh welcomed the teams who travelled from London and said how delighted he was to see such a thriving GAA scene in Italy and seeing new friendships and alliances being formed between teams in two European cities. Holloway Gaels club chairperson Aileen Brady then said a few words, thanking all involved and praising the ladies team for their commitment and dedication to the game. Nigel Drew, Eire Og chairperson also thanked the Italian side and had a special mention for the Italian referee on the day who did an outstanding job. Club president Sergio Corsini then presented the winning team captains Cliona Twohig and Liam Dunne with the cups and spoke about a return trip for Rome Lazio to London in 2016, which was welcomed by the Holloway and Eire Og clubs.

A massive thank you must go to Rome Lazio GAA, in particular Kevin Teeroovengadum and Sergio Corsini for inviting the teams to the tournament and all the members of the clubs for helping sort accommodation, food and transport for the teams, which all made for a most memorable weekend away. A special thank you must also be extended to Aileen Brady, Hannah Fahey and Patrick Reynolds for organizing the weekend.

Well I wish I was on that N17....
This weekend sees Holloway Gaels return to Downhills Park N17 6AP for training on Saturday 14th March at 10am. If interested in coming training please contact recruitmenthollowaygaels@gmail.com. All new players welcome.

Rome Trip
A team from the club travelled to Rome last weekend to play Rome Lazio-Rovigio in a pre season tournament. Along with Eire Og GFC, a fantastic weekend was had by both teams where they were overwhelmed by the hospitality and organization shown by the Italian teams. A massive thank you must go to Rome Lazio GAA, in particular Kevin Teeroovengadum and Sergio Corsini for inviting the teams to the tournament and all the members of the clubs for helping sort accommodation, food and transport for the teams, which all made for a most memorable weekend away. A special thank you must also be extended to Aileen Brady, Hannah Fahey and Sinead Gordon for organizing the weekend.

Ann Dunning Memorial Tournament
Each year Holloway Gaels host the Ann Dunning tournament in memory of one of our founding members who tragically lost her life to a rare form of pregnancy related cancer in 2006. The tournament has been confirmed to take place in Greenford on SATURDAY THE 21st MARCH. All support welcomed and there will be an opportunity to donate money to Cancer Research UK on the day.

Intermediate Presentation Night
After the tournament we will hold a presentation night in the Quays, where there will be a presentation of the intermediate medals. Everyone is welcome to come for food and enjoy a fun filled night celebrating the clubs success in 2014 and looking forward to 2015. Food will be served from 7pm; if you wish to attend, please speak to a member of the committee.

The Aisling Foundation
Holloway Gaels have teamed up with homeless charity the Aisling Foundation and are selling raffle tickets to be entered into a draw for Rugby World Cup tickets. Speak to any member of the Holloway Gaels committee or call into the Quays on Holloway Road for more information.

New website

Holloway Gaels are very proud to unveil their new club website at www.hollowaygaels.org. If you have any old photos or articles about the club please send to mediahollowaygaels@gmail.com for inclusion on the new site.

For updates and further information please follow us on Twitter @HollowayGaels and add Holloway Gaels on Facebook.