On 23rd March 2019, Holloway Gaels LGFC joined forces with the North London Shamrocks club to run the an all-female tournament to honour the late Ann Dunning and the late Chloe Quilleck.
The Ann Dunning is a well-established adult ladies tournament, set up over 10 years ago to honour the memory of Holloway Gaels founder member Ann Dunning. Ann Dunning, originally from Westmeath, passed away in November 2006 shortly after being diagnosed with a pregnancy related cancer called Choriocarcinoma.
The North London Shamrocks underage club suffered a bereavement in 2018, when the talented and spirited Chloe Quilleck passed away. Chloe was a spirited and committed member of the North London Shamrocks underage team.
Holloway Gaels and North London Shamrocks are close neighbours and this tournament - in which teams and players from u-12 to adult took part - was a poignant and fitting tribute to Ann and Chloe.
Eight teams from across the South of England competed for the Ann Dunning Trophy. St. Colmcilles from St Albans, Kingdom Kerry Gaels, Brighton & Crawley, Dulwich Harps, Holloway Gaels and Claddagh Gaels from Luton. A Holloway Veterans team - including contemporaries of Ann Dunning - made up the final team.
The early season fitness of the teams and the enthusiastic attitude contributed to some fiercely competitive matches. Topping the groups were Holloway Gaels and KKG with Brighton /Crawley and St. Colmcilles runners-up.
Holloway Gaels comfortably beat St Colmcilles in one semi-final, whilst KKG just defeated a very talented Brighton/ Crawley team by a narrow margin.
The final was played at full tilt with never more than a point or two between the sides. There is a great rivalry and mutual respect between these two clubs, and this added great to the excitement and energy of the match. KKG just scraped through as well-deserved winners by one point.
In the u-12 final, Tir Conaill Gaels defeated Claddagh Gaels. The quality of the football played in the u-12 final was outstanding - a credit to the players, their families and coaches.
Tir Conaill Gaels also won the U-15 competition, defeating the North London Shamrocks in a close competition. This final match had some wonderful flowing football from both sides; with great noise and encouragement from the side-lines.
Eoin Hourigan presented the inaugural Chloe Cup to the Tir Conaill Gaels` captain, watched over by a huge crowd including Chloe's parents Jolanta and Nico.
Holloway Gaels President Ann-Marie Dargan spoke warmly about her old friend and team mate Ann Dunning and presented the cup in her honour to the KKG captain Fiona Considine.
Adult player of the tournament was awarded to the very talented Kenmare woman, Caroline McCarthy of Holloway Gaels.
The organisers would like to thank the sponsors and the North London Shamrocks for their excellent facilities. Thanks too to all the Holloway Gaels and Shamrocks members who contributed to the running of the tournament. The organisers wish to thank all those clubs that took part, especially those that travelled long distances.
It was a very proud day for both clubs. It is a welcome and truly uplifting sight to see over 120 women and girls play high quality Gaelic football in North London, with scores and scores of supporters and locals cheering their teams on.
Are you interested in playing ladies football in London...??
Holloway Gaels are recruiting adult players now.
Contact: recruitmenthollowaygaels@gmail.com
Twitter @HollowayGaels
Facebook @holloway.gaels.9
Www.hollowgaels.org
Photo Credit - Lucia Butler.
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