Venue: McGovern Park, Ruislip
Date: Saturday 26th October 2024
The 2024 London Ladies Gaelic Football Championship final between Holloway Gaels and Tir Chonaill Gaels lived up to its billing as a hard-fought contest, with the two teams having already met multiple times during the season. With the League Final and Mary Feehan Cup final both featuring intense encounters, this match was destined to be another thrilling chapter in their rivalry. Holloway Gaels, despite a slow start, showed great resilience and teamwork to overcome Tir Chonaill Gaels, emerging as London Intermediate County Champions for the first time since 2014 with a final score of 4-08 to 2-08.
A Slow Start
Tir Chonaill Gaels started strong, winning the throw-in and pushing the ball into the Holloway half. They worked it around quickly, taking the lead with an early point in the opening minute. Holloway Gaels responded well, with Mary Adegbamiye forcing a turnover and sending the ball to Emily Phelan. Quick passes from Emma, Marian, and Eimear set up Marian’s shot, which just drifted wide. TCG would quickly extend their lead, scoring another point before following up with a goal from the next kick-out. After just five minutes, Holloway Gaels were behind 1-02 to no score.
The Gaels settled into the game and began to dominate possession but struggled to get the ball into shooting range. Tir Chonaill Gaels regained control, though their attempts at goal were thwarted by some solid defending from Holloway, who forced TCG into three wides. In the 13th minute, TCG slotted over a close-range free to lead 1-04 to no score.
Holloway’s breakthrough came in the 18th minute, when Saoirse Hourigan converted a free after a foul on Marian O'Donnell. Shortly after, another foul on Marian allowed Saoirse to slot over her second free of the day, cutting the deficit to 1-04 to 0-02.
Ciara Flanagan then cleared a dangerous ball in the Holloway box, passing to Michaela McCarthy, who found Mary. Mary’s solo run into midfield led to a hand-pass to Eimear McCarthy, who passed to Anne Scullion. Anne’s perfect pass to Saoirse on the wing allowed her to find Emma Mulhern in the centre, and Emma passed to Marian, who calmly slotted the ball past the TCG goalkeeper. The score line stood at 1-04 to 1-02 in favour of TCG.
The next few minutes saw Holloway on top, with Mary winning another kick-out and quick interplay between Saoirse, Emma, and Caroline Hanley leading to a shot from Rosemarie Dullea which edged past the TCG keeper at the near post. Four unanswered scores from Holloway Gaels put them ahead 2-02 to 1-04 by the 22nd minute.
TCG responded with a point from their full-forward to level the score at 1-05 to 2-02 in the 27th minute, but Emma Mulhern put Holloway ahead again with a point in the 31st minute, leaving the score at 2-03 to 1-05 in favour of Holloway Gaels at half time.
Seeing it Out
Holloway Gaels made a change at the start of the second half, with Trea Hourigan replacing Michaela McCarthy. Trea moved into the inside forward line, while her twin sister Saoirse shifted to wing forward and Anne Scullion dropped into wing back.
Tir Chonaill Gaels started the second half much as they had the first, winning the throw-in and working the ball into the Holloway half. A stray ball in front of the Holloway goal saw Caroline Hanley attempt to clear the danger with her boot, but the referee awarded a penalty to TCG, deeming that the hands of the incoming TCG player were near the ball. TCG converted the penalty to regain the lead after just 3 minutes of the half.
A minute later, TCG added another point, but it could have been worse for Holloway had it not been for a fantastic save by goalkeeper Mairead O'Donnell. Holloway responded in the 7th minute with a free from Saoirse Hourigan, after great build-up play from Mary, Anne, Emma, and Saoirse, which resulted in Emily Phelan being fouled.
The Gaels continued to fight back, and Emily Phelan added a lovely point off her left boot after some excellent one-two play with Mary and Caroline. With 22 minutes to go, TCG led by just one point.
TCG won their subsequent kick-out and powered down the field, but Anne Scullion and centre-back Niamh Kelly were superb in snuffing out the threat. The move ended with a fantastic sequence: Niamh Kelly cleared the ball, sending it up to Trea, who passed to Rosemarie Dullea. Rosemarie found Marian, who fired a near-post shot at goal. The TCG keeper cleared, but Emma Mulhern was on hand to stab the rebound into the net. With 21 minutes remaining, Holloway led 3-05 to 2-06.
A free won by Niamh Kelly on the halfway line set up the next attack, leading to Emily scoring after a patient build-up. With 15 minutes left, Holloway now led by a goal.
TCG responded with a point from play, despite relentless work from the Holloway defence. Holloway wasn’t long in responding, with Trea Hourigan sneaking behind her marker to score a point, putting Holloway back in control by a goal. Trea continued to shine, scoring a brilliant goal after Caroline Hanley’s ball skidded past TCG defenders. Trea slotted the ball into the net with 8 minutes to go, putting Holloway ahead 4-07 to 2-07.
TCG’s final point came from a free, narrowing the gap to 5 points, but it was clear the momentum was with Holloway. Niamh Kelly made way for Lára McIvor, and Sam Grozotis replaced Marian O'Donnell in added time. In the final minutes, Saoirse Hourigan capped off a brilliant performance with a point from play, ensuring Holloway Gaels secured the victory with a final score of 4-08 to 2-08.
After the slow start, the Gaels showed incredible resilience and teamwork to battle back and win the London Intermediate County Championship for the first time since 2014. Tir Chonaill Gaels, despite leading for much of the match, were unable to hold off Holloway’s second-half surge. The final score line of 4-08 to 2-08 reflected the thrilling nature of the game. Emma Mulhern was presented with the Kate Clarke Cup as captain, while Mary Adegbamiye was named Player of the Game for her outstanding performance.
Notable Performances:
Mary Adegbamiye: A defensive powerhouse with key turnovers and leadership in midfield.
Saoirse Hourigan: Huge influence with her solid performance on frees.
Trea Hourigan: A game-changer in the second half, scoring crucial points and a goal.
Emma Mulhern: Led from the front, scoring and setting up crucial moments.
Mairead O'Donnell: A key save to keep Holloway in the game and deny TCG.
Anne Scullion: Made a huge difference to the Holloway kick-outs in the second half. Must be one of the players with the most touches during the game.
Niamh Kelly: Defensive solidity and composure in key moments
2024 Intermediate Panel: Mairead O' Donnell, Martha Jordan, Sarah Morrissey, Ciara Flanagan, Michaela McCarthy, Niamh Kelly, Caroline Hanley, Eimear McCarthy, Mary Adegbamiye, Anne Scullion, Emma Mulhern (C), Rosemarie Dullea (VC), Saoirse Hourigan, Marian O' Donnell, Emily Phelan, Trea Hourigan, Lára McIvor, Samantha Grozotis, Kate Aughey, Ciara Leonard, Colleen Anderson, Katie Reen, Mia Kelly, Aoife Kelly, Grace Hanrahan, Aisling Clifford, Mary Ellen Cannon, Sylvia O' Sullivan, Erin Giblin
Management Team: Oran Hilley (Manager) Clíona Twohig (Assistant Manager) Graham Brody (Goalkeeping Coach)
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