Tara Camogie Clubs annual tournament was held in TCG, Greenford on Saturday 14th April. Overshadowed by the untimely passing of Cathal Forde a few days beforehand Tara made a tribute to Cathal gathering all the teams together for a minute silence before the tournament began.

With 6 groups in the Senior competition and 5 in the Junior competition there was some fine camogie on display. Travelling teams included Borrisoleigh and St Cronans, Roscrea both from Tipperary and Ballindereen from Galway, all entering in the Senior grade. The competition and standard was very high with the hosting team Tara leading the way, coming out on top in all group games. Some fine performances including Moire Dooley who was running a riot in midfield for Borrisoleigh. Helen Fahy, sister of Colette and Emer Fahy who play for Tara, was driving Ballinderreen forward while in defense the 19 year old Siobhan Coen was outstanding taking some fine scores from her own defense. St Cronans, a very young outfit, ranging in age from 17 up to 22, are a team to watch in Tipperary in the future. Tara were strong all over the field and looked like they would finally retain the Senior title that has evaded them since the maiden tournament in 2006. However it was not to be yet again. Tara who had come out top in the group stages, were faced with Ballindereen in the final. Ballindereen, Intermediate champions from 2011 were an outfit not to be taken lightly. Ballindereen came out of the blocks quicker in the first half and left Tara with a lot to do after the break. Tara stood up to the task with Denise Gilligan pulling off some fine saves in goals. With Gilligan in goal, up front the free taking duties were down to Bid Grennan who sent one into the bottom left corner to leave just 2 points between the teams. However Tara looked tired at this stage and it was indeed Ballindereen who had more in the tank and finished strongly tagging on another goal.
In the plate final Borrisoleigh overcame St Cronans in a very hard fought battle where the lead changed hands many times through out the game. A last minute goal secured the win for Corrisoleigh in an enthralling game. The final score was Borrisoleigh 6-4 St Cronans 4-8

In the Junior competition it was Green Isle who were the strongest, winning all their group games. Michelle McClafferty was strong and ever present for Green Isle's throughout the day. Tara were placed second in the group and captain on the day Joni Traynor lead by example showing some fine displays. So it was Tara in the Junior final against Green Isle and in this final, unlike the senior, Tara were underdogs. However that only seems to spur on the girls in blue and white, in a very tightly fought game where scores were few and far between the final score was 0-1 a piece and so extra time insued. Green Isle were just too strong in the extra time and ran out eventual winners on a scoreline of 1-3 to 0-1. Croydon faced Michael Cusacks in the Junior plate final with Croydon taking the silverwear.
Retreating to the clubhouse after a tough and very cold day the awards ceremony began took place. Junior player of the tournament went to Tara's Joni Traynor who was outstanding throughout the day. Senior player went to Moire Dooley from Borrisoleigh who clocked up plenty of miles through the day and was well deserved of the prize.

Tara Camogie London would like to thank all who helped in the running and particpation of the day and a big thank you to their sponsors being Gerry Macs, Man O Aran, Getjar (sponored senior cup and senior player of the tournament), J Coffey Construction (sponsored Senior Plate), The Galway Asoociation (sponsored Junior Cup and Junior Player of the Tournament) and Tir Chonnail Gaels (sponsored Junior Plate).

BY BRIDGET GRENNAN Tweet

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