Saturday 20th June 2009 Tír Chonaill Park, Greenford

Fr. Murphy's 2.05 V Croydon 1.04

The final and all important group ranking round of the London Senior Camogie Championship took place in Greenford on Saturday evening.  Unusual in itself to have an evening throw in, the teams were unperturbed in their mission to secure an all important victory.  The fixture proved to be demanding from the outset with each score being hard fought.   However, Murphy’s set the precedent as they opened the scoring to run out eventual winners. 

From the outset the game was tense and competitive.  Croydon settled well and had some excellent passages of play in the midfield area but despite this superb teamwork they were unable to convert their opportunities as their shots failed to hit the mark.  After some ten minutes of blistering hurling it was eventually the home team who got their name on the score board first with a pointed free from Grainne Hunter.  Croydon hit back strongly as they gritted their teeth in determination as Aishling Touhy scored from a 45.  With nothing separating the teams, each one-on-one pairing fought for possession putting in some hard tackles; Sinead O’Donoughe and Grainne Hunter of Croydon and Murphys respectively, being fine examples of this.  Croydon’s defence was steadfast and they cleared their lines well with Maria Clarke & Sarah Allen putting in some hard running in the centre of the field.  Murphy’s could only manage a further point before Mary Cahill blew the half time whistle.

The second half was equally entertaining as the first as each team vied for dominance.  Again Murphy’s hit the target first scoring a point and goal in quick succession.  Croydon, having made some tactical changes took their time to find momentum but eventually, Liz Jones beating her opposite number Bronagh McLernon, got the visitors their first score of the second half.  The home team retaliated in fine fashion adding further scores to widen the gap.  An earlier strategic move saw Anne Marie O’Dwyer move to full forward position and when presented with what seemed an impossible angle on goal saw her beat goalie, Mel Hogan to get the visitors back into contention.  Croydon’s spirits were lifted as they piled on the pressure with Murphy’s conceding a number of frees; Aishling Touhy converted one of these from close range.  Sadly for the visitors, time was not on their side for a come-back as victory went to Murphy’s with a final scoreline of 2.05 to 1.04.

A highly entertaining game and with semi final pairings now decided; the title of London Senior Camogie Champions remains wide open with the knock out stages being held on the 4th July.  

Croydon: K Collins, J McGivney, AM O’Dwyer, S O’Donoughe, S Keatley, E Dunphy, M Tierney, M Clarke, S Allen, R O’Mahoney, L  Jones, A Touhy, B Hehir, C Lenihan, C McCarthy.  Subs: R Harvey (for C McCarthy) K Forde (for M Tierney), A Kelly