Holloway vs Tara's: 7th June

Holloway 3-11

Tara's 2-03

Holloway Gaels had a successful start to the London Senior League at Greenford, last Saturday 7th June, with a comfortable win over Tara on a score-line of 3-11 to 2-3. The Gaels were determined throughout, exhibiting many excellent periods of team-play coupled with some superb defending. Although Holloway will rue too many wides in the first half, albeit against a strong wind, they will take comfort in the fact that eight players got their name on the score sheet before the final whistle.

The teams exchanged quick points early in the game, but it was to be almost 20 minutes before there was to be another point on the scoreboard. Bonnie Fleming for Holloway, after some excellent individual play outfield, found Enya O’Donnell on the edge of the square who slotted the ball neatly over the bar. Minutes later, Caroline Hanley was brought down en-route to goal and Trish McCarthy made sure her penalty resulted in Holloway’s first goal.  Despite fine defending by midfielder Cliona Twohig, Tara replied with a quick goal to leave Holloway only one point ahead at half time.

The Gaels started the second half in determined fashion and were soon on the score sheet through the boot of Caroline Hanley. Marian O’Donnell was next to score after a textbook passing move involving six Holloway players, starting with one of many excellent kickouts from Holloway keeper Dee Donohoe. O’Donnell followed up her point with a fine goal and Bonnie Flemming was quickly to replicate O’Donnell’s efforts with a goal and a point in quick succession.

Three more points were to follow from Karen Tracey, Enya O’Donnell and Sheila Walsh before veteran Aisling Clifford was drafted into an already strong forward line. It wasn’t long before Clifford slottted the ball over the bar and her score was quickly followed up by a huge point from the now on-form Walsh. Not to be out-done, Bonnie Fleming immediately scored the point of the day, straight from a Tara kickout.

This period of Holloway domination in the second half resulted in only 2 points from Tara, compared to two goals and eight points for the Gaels.  Tara ended their drought with an opportunistic goal shortly before the final whistle, but tight Holloway defending ensured they did not follow up with a second goal shortly afterwards.