3-In-A-Row for Holloway Inters

Gaels Make History with Third Consecutive Kate Clarke Championship Title

2026 London Intermediate Championship

Barnet Lane, Saturday 10th October

Holloway Gaels 2-10

TCG 0-10

Holloway Gaels' Intermediate team travelled to Barnet Lane on Saturday, 10th October, in search of a historic three-in-a-row, aiming to claim the Kate Clarke Intermediate Championship Cup for the third consecutive year after victories in 2024 and 2025, both of which came against familiar rivals TCG. With TCG having pipped Holloway to the League Cup earlier in year, it was full focus in the lead up to the final to ensure a London Championship win over the familiar rivals.

Playing with the wind at their backs in the opening half, Holloway knew a strong start would be crucial. However, it was TCG who opened the scoring within the first 90 seconds. A strong run down the right wing resulted in a foul on their corner forward, and the resulting free was confidently pointed to give TCG an early lead. Holloway's response was immediate and emphatic. Mairéad's kick-out found Clíona in midfield, who worked the ball forward before Cassie delivered a clever pass over the TCG full-back line.

Ellen Murphy timed her run to perfection, gathered possession and coolly slotted the ball to the back of the net. Just two minutes into the game, Holloway had turned a one-point deficit into a two-point advantage.

The momentum continued from the resulting kick-out, which drifted over the sideline to give Holloway a line ball. Emma Mulhern passed to Saoirse, who found Amy before the ball worked back through Emma and into Amy's hands once again. Amy made no mistake, splitting the posts for another point. Holloway won the next kick-out as well, with Eimear Loughlin bursting forward to register another score. Moments later, Eimear claimed possession from another TCG restart and released Marian. Spotting Amy making a run off her shoulder, Marian found her teammate, who calmly added another point.

The next phase of the game was a battle of possession as both sides mixed impressive interceptions with some misplaced passes. Play moved quickly between Holloway's forward line and defensive unit, while TCG looked dangerous when opportunities presented themselves.

A particularly important moment came when TCG's corner forward broke through and fired a goal-bound effort. Mairéad reacted brilliantly, blocking and gathering the ball to deny a certain goal. TCG continued to press and were awarded a free as Holloway attempted to work the ball out from defence, reducing the deficit with a straightforward score.

Another TCG free soon followed. Although the initial effort drifted wide, the ball dropped to the TCG corner forward. Before she could capitalise, Abby produced a superb turnover with support arriving quickly from her teammates. Holloway worked possession away through Eimear, who was eventually fouled. However, with TCG marking tightly and the available options restricted, Holloway were penalised for delaying the restart and TCG converted the resulting free. The margin was reduced to a single goal. Both teams then exchanged attacks but found scoring opportunities difficult to create against disciplined defensive displays. TCG earned another free on the 21-metre line, and their accurate free-taker converted her fourth point of the afternoon.

There was confusion following the subsequent kick-out when a breach resulted in a free being awarded to Holloway around the halfway line.

The Gaels capitalised through a flowing move featuring several players before Anne timed her run perfectly off Cassie's shoulder and pointed to register Holloway's fifth score of the contest. From the next kick-out, Ellen Murphy and Cassie combined brilliantly on the right wing to intercept possession. Holloway worked the ball centrally where Amy produced a superb effort from the D, lofting the ball over the bar. With 20 minutes played, Holloway held a deserved lead of 1-05 to 0-04.

On the 22nd minute Caroline Hanley was forced off through a blood injury with Erin Giblin entering the action and quickly settling into the pace and intensity of the final. For several minutes, play remained concentrated between the two 45-metre lines as both teams worked tirelessly to close down space and force turnovers.

Then came one of the most dramatic moments of the first half. A high ball into the Holloway full-back line was gathered by the TCG full forward. Mairéad raced off her line to challenge and was adjudged to have fouled the attacker, resulting in a penalty. TCG's designated free-taker stepped forward with the chance to significantly close the gap. Mairéad, however, was equal to the task. Diving sharply to her left, she got a strong hand to the ball and tipped the effort over the bar. It proved to be a crucial intervention that maintained Holloway's control of the game as well as giving a huge boost to the team.

At the other end, Amy O'Leary extended Holloway's lead after Cassie brilliantly intercepted a TCG line ball. She found Clíona, whose pinpoint pass picked out Amy, allowing her to turn and split the uprights. The Gaels then came close to raising another green flag. Saoirse broke possession from the TCG corner back and fed Marian, who supplied Ellen Murphy with a one-on-one opportunity. The TCG goalkeeper made an excellent save to deny the goal, forcing a 45. The resulting delivery from Emma Mulhern found Ellen, who quickly fed Cassie in traffic. Cassie showed excellent composure, escaping several challenges before finding Marian. Under heavy pressure, Marian still managed to send the ball over the bar and stretch Holloway's advantage.

Another excellent team score followed shortly afterwards. Eimear Loughlin intercepted possession brilliantly in the half-back line before driving forward at pace. After exchanging passes with Marian, she released Saoirse, who finished the move with a well-taken point.

TCG registered their first score from play just before half-time following a patient and well-constructed attack against a tightly organised Holloway defence.

At the interval, Holloway Gaels led by 1-08 to 0-06 and looked well positioned, although everyone knew there was a long way to go against a side playing with the aid of the wind in the second half. Holloway made one change at the break, with Roisin replacing Saoirse.

TCG won the throw-in and immediately launched an attack, but their effort drifted wide under pressure from Clíona. Holloway responded by controlling possession for several minutes, displaying patience and composure as they moved the ball across the field.

Their reward came through an important second goal. A low delivery from Roisin into the full-forward line saw Muls gather possession, but pressure from the defence caused her effort to loop high into the air. The breaking ball fell kindly to Amy, who sent a high delivery towards goal. The effort struck the woodwork and dropped invitingly for Clíona, who reacted quickest to slot the ball to the net. It was a dream start to the second half for Holloway, especially against the strength of the wind.

The game plan from there was clear. Holloway needed to value possession, remain patient and limit TCG's opportunities to exploit the conditions. TCG did manage to respond with a point after turning over possession on the Holloway 21. The next kick-out was won cleanly by TCG, who quickly released their centre forward for another point. Eight minutes into the second period, the scoreboard read Holloway Gaels 2-08, TCG 0-08.

The next nine minutes saw both sides trade attacks and defensive stands without reward. Eventually, on the 47th minute, Holloway broke the deadlock once more. Muls made an intelligent run off Roisin's left shoulder before delivering a high ball into Clíona. Clíona cleverly palmed possession down into Marian's path, and Marian calmly split the posts for her second point of the afternoon. With nine minutes remaining, Robyn Kos entered the game in place of Erin Giblin. She got stuck in from the start, tracking back from wing forward to help suppress a dangerous TCG attack and demonstrating the work rate that had characterised Holloway's display throughout the afternoon.

The second half had been far less prolific in terms of scoring, but TCG continued to fight. On the 55th minute, their midfielder produced a superb individual effort, carrying the ball from halfway before calmly sending it over the bar for her second point of the day and TCG's ninth score. She followed that almost immediately with another point after a Holloway kick-out found its way to the TCG corner forward. With five minutes remaining, Holloway's lead had been cut to five points.

TCG won the next Holloway kick-out and looked threatening, but their goal attempt was comfortably gathered by Mairéad. Her quick distribution launched a Holloway attack involving Roisin and Cassie down the right wing. The TCG defence intercepted a pass into the full-forward line and quickly countered. Once again, Mairéad came to Holloway's rescue, producing another save from a goal-bound effort despite taking a knock to the head in the process.

Following the resulting throw-up, Holloway retained possession intelligently and worked through a patient attacking move. The sequence ended with Clíona registering Holloway's tenth point of the day, a score that would ultimately prove to be the final score of the contest.

Both teams continued to create openings in the closing stages, but relentless pressure, tireless defending from players across the pitch ensured no further scores were added.

The final whistle sparked scenes of celebration as Holloway Gaels secured a memorable victory on a scoreline of 2-10 to 0-10, claiming the Kate Clarke Intermediate Championship title for a remarkable third consecutive year.

Captain Emma Mulhern proudly accepted the Kate Clarke Cup on behalf of the team, sealing another historic chapter for the club.

Attention now turns to the All Britain Championship. Holloway have received a bye into the final after John Mitchels Liverpool informed Britain Provincial that they would not be fielding a team. The Gaels will now await the winner of the semi-final between TCG and Dunedin Connolly's of Edinburgh to determine their opponents on 7th November, where the All Britain crown will be up for grabs. Having lifted the All Britain title last year against Dunedin in Birmingham, Holloway will be aiming to retain their crown and add another chapter to what is already a remarkable period in the club's history.

Huge congratulations go to the entire Intermediate panel, management team of Ciaran, Dan and Emily, and all of the backroom staff whose dedication and hard work have helped make this success possible.

History has been made. Three championships in a row, and Holloway Gaels remain unbeaten in the London Championship for the past three years. A remarkable achievement!

Panel on the day: Mairéad O'Donnell, Ellen Byrne, Abby Durham, Niamh Crowley, Michaela McCarthy, Caroline Hanley, Anne Scullion (0-01), Clíona Twohig (1-01), Eimear Loughlin (0-01), Cassie Sultan, Emma Mulhern (Capt), Saoirse Crowley (0-01), Ellen Murphy(1-00), Amy O'Leary (0-04), Marian O'Donnell (0-02), Erin Giblin, Roisin Durkin, Robyn Kos, Emily Phelan, Éadaoin McCarron, Ciara Flanagan, Aisling Murray, Colleen Anderson, Grace Collins, Martha Jordan, Niamh Kelly.