Gaelic4Girls has hit Downhills Park by storm, with girls from the surrounding area descending onto the gaelic pitch last Saturday to be treated to 60 minutes of great fun and coaching in Ladies Gaelic Football. This programme continues for another 7 weeks every Saturday from 10.30am at the Gaelic Football pitch in Downhills Park (Downhills Park Road & Belmont Road end). It is fantastic to see so many enthusiastic girls, most who have little Gaelic Football experience, enjoying themselves in the summer sun!

 Gaelic4Girls is open to girls aged 8-12yrs who are not part of a Ladies Gaelic Football Club and who are interested in learning the skills of the game. All girls from the local and surrounding areas are encouraged to attend and learn the skills of Ladies Gaelic Football from enthusiastic coaches on a fun basis. All girls will be presented with a Gaelic4Girls t-shirt and certificate. A major bonus from the programme is that all participants will get the chance to participate in a Mini Blitz with another Gaelic4Girls site. The entire programme is free. Anybody who would like more details on this programme is asked to email Ciara Holland at development@hollowaygaels.org

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. 

Holloway Gaels launch Gaelic4girls programme

Starting this Saturday the 23rd May, the club is delighted to announce it will be participating in the Gaelic4girls programme; welcoming girls aged 8-12 to join the club. It will be held in Downhills Park every Saturday from 10.30-11.30 and will run as an 8 week programme aimed at increasing participation in Ladies Gaelic Football. Gaelic4Girls is focused on fun and participation, allowing girls to get an introduction to Ladies Gaelic Football in a non-competitive environment.  Please contact our Youth Development Officer Ciara Holland at development@hollowaygaels.org for more information or visit our website at http://www.hollowaygaels.org/gaelic4girls.html

2nd round Championship

Last Sunday Holloway Gaels continued their Senior London Championship campaign with a comfortable win over Fr. Murphy’s on a scoreline of 1-22 to 0-2. The Gaels started with great intensity and pace which never let up throughout the game. Fr. Murphy’s did not relent but the Holloway defence proved too strong and the Holloway midfield and forwards continued to break forward for some fantastic scores and ran out easy winners. This Wednesday the 20th May at 7pm the Gaels will take on Parnells in the Senior League in Greenford – all support welcome.

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.

Race night

Holloway Gaels will host a race night on Saturday the 20th June in the Quays of Holloway Road. More details to follow soon.

Registration

Registration for the 2015 season is now due. Please contact Karen Treacy or Hannah Fahey for further information.

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

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. 

1st round Championship

Last Sunday Holloway Gaels took on Parnells in the first round of the Senior London Ladies Championship in Greenford. Holloway started the stronger side and showed great skill, fitness and determination throughout the game against defending champions and previous All-Ireland Intermediate Club winners. Parnells ran out eventual winners in a tightly contested game with a final scoreline of Parnells 6-8 Holloway Gaels 4-7. A lot of positives will be taken from this game going into next week’s game against Fr. Murphy’s in the 2nd round of the Championship which takes place next Sunday at 12.30pm in Greenford – All support welcome.

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.

Race night

Holloway Gaels will host a race night on Saturday the 20th June in the Quays of Holloway Road. More details to follow soon.

Registration

Registration for the 2015 season is now due. Please contact Karen Treacy or Hannah Fahey for further information.

Gaelic4girls

The club is delighted to announce it will be participating in the Gaelic4girls programme; welcoming girls aged 8-12 to join the club. This will run as an 8 week programme aimed at increasing participation in Ladies Gaelic Football. The programme is focused on fun and participation, allowing girls to get an introduction to Ladies Gaelic Football in a non-competitive environment.  It will be held in Downhills Park every Saturday from 10.30-11.30 starting Saturday 23rd May, 2015. On completion of the programme, participants are presented with certificates and t-shirts for their participation and are given the opportunity to join the local Ladies Gaelic Football Club. Having completed the programme the girls will then participate in a fun Mini Blitz. More details available on our website www.hollowaygaels.org.

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