2006 Camogie 7s

Tara Camogie 7’s Tournament ~ Saturday 22 April 2006

The Junior competitions included London participants Bros Pearse, Croydon, Green Isles and hosts Tara; Erin go Bragh (Birmingham) and shinty/camogie teams Tir Chonaill Harps of Glasgow and London Camananchd.

The Junior Cup final sponsored by Ballygowan was an all-London affair in a Bros Pearses v Green Isles fixture, with Green Isles winning by the last poc of the ball in a 2-0 to 2-2 victory. Green Isles were best served through the day by Michelle McClafferty and Eileen Boyle.

The Junior Plate was won by Tir Chonaill Harps of Glasgow and the Junior Player of the Tournament was Tir Chonaill Harps Hilda Dooley. Hilda, originally from Clareen, Offaly plays camogie and shinty with Tir Chonaill Harps and played county for Offaly in ’95 and ’96. Earlier this year Hilda was voted Scottish woman’s shinty player of the year for her performances with Tir Chonaill Harps. 

Tara juniors were runners-up of the Junior Plate with fine performances throughout the day by Mags Howard, Aimee Curtin and Eimear O Connor.


The Senior competition included 5 visiting Irish teams of Tullamore Camogie Club and 2 teams each from Holycross/Ballycahill of Tipperary and Round Towers of Clondalkin and London clubs Bros Pearse, Croydon/Fr Murphys combo and of course hosts Tara.

The Senior Cup semi finals saw hosts Tara drawn against Holycross/Ballycahill’s first team and Bros Pearse were to face Tullamore.

Holycross/Ballycahill were unbeaten all day and although Tara put up a tough fight, particularly with fine performances from Bridget Grennan, Mariee O’Dwyer, Emma Fitzgerald & Brenda O’Donoughue, who were fantastic all day for Tara, Siobhan Ryan and her crew marched onto the final.

The other Cup semi-final saw Bros Pearse see off visitors Tullamore and go head to head with Holycross/Ballycahill.  Bros Pearse were also unbeaten all day but with players such as Siobhan a Ryan, Louise Ryan & Joan Stakelum, Holycross/Ballycahill were destined to take home the Senior Cup despite the efforts of Roisin O’Neill and Bromwyn Keeshan.  Sean Masterson of Getjar, sponsors of the Senior Cup competition also had the pleasure of presenting Siobhan Ryan with the well deserved Senior Player of the Tournament award.

The Senior Plate, sponsored by Crash Services saw Croydon overcome Holycross/Ballycahill’s second team in a final scoreline of 3-2 to 4-3.

The most entertaining game of the day had to be the Past v Present game where supporters were delighted to see many of the old Tara legends take to the pitch again, some with their off-spring.  Majella & Carmel O’Neill, Breda Curran, Ann Freaney, Bernie Lyons, Edel Finn, Kay Kelly, Denise Stevenson, Brenda O’Donoughue, managed by John Dillon, Margaret Finlay and Una Wall narrowingly beat a ‘present’ selection, although they nearly had twice as many players.

Tara Presidents Majella & Carmel O’Neill and Tommy McConnon were presented with gifts in lieu of their service over the last 20 years and Carmel in her speech acknowledged the fine work of Etty Kelly, Rita O’Hanlon Wright and Mary MacArthur for camogie in London over the last 20 years.

Tara Camogie Club wish to sincerely thank Andy Duffy and Adrian Byrne of Tir Chonaill Gaels for their help and assistance since 2000 but in particular in readiness for the 20th Anniversary Tournament. 

Also Beano Collins, Brian Corry, Sean Howlin, Fergus McMahon & Bernie Callanan - the referees throughout the day who did a sterling job under the blazing sun.  

Thanks also to the competitions sponsors Getjar, Ballygowan, Crash Services and Tir Chonaill Sports & Social Club and programme advertisers for their support.