Latest from the Murphys....

Fr. Murphy's held a very successful AGM on Thursday last, 19th January. The following officers were elected:

Chairperson - Larry O'Leary
Vice Chairperson - Sinead Daly
Secretary - Thressa McConnell
Asst. Secretary - Liz McGrath
Treasurer - Eileen Rowsome
PRO - Ruth Foley
Registrar - Anne Marie Keogh
Children's Officer - Jane O'Connell

Several events have already been organised for 2012 beginning with a paintballing day out at Brickett Wood on Saturday January 28th, with a social evening afterwards in Waxy O'Connors. Further details are available from Thressa.

Everything is now in place for the trip to Kerry at the end of February. There are still a couple of places left on the flights if anybody else is interested in travelling.

The biggest news of the night was the new sponsorship deal with Clonakilty Black Pudding, which will see a new playing strip and leisure wear arriving soon. The club are very grateful for this and will work tirelessly to promote the product in London for the coming year.

The club is very thankful to everybody to helped during 2011 - players, administrators, especially Sean Howlin for his management of the Camogie team and all the sponsors for the golf evening.

Both Camogie and Ladies Football are geared up for success in 2012.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Congratulations to Bronagh McLernon and Thressa McConnell who have been honoured with London Camogie All-Stars, and also Jackie Shiels who has been chosen to receive a Ladies Football All-Star.

The joint awards ceremony takes place on Saturday 4th February in The Corrib Rest, Kilburn. Tickets are £35 and available from the club or any member of either County Board.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fr. Murphy's Ladies Footballers return to the Madejski Stadium on Sunday 8th January, where they will take on St. Anthony's of Reading

in a half time exhibition game during the London Irish v Sale Aviva Premiership game.

All players are requested to be at the stadium at 2.30pm, where their tickets will await them.

Anybody wishing to follow the two teams and see the rugby game can obtain tickets through www.london-irish.com

Afterwards both teams will meet in The Gateway, Greyfriars Road, Reading, where host Martin O'Sullivan will have a great welcome for all.

Pictured above is action from the last meeting of the two teams at the Madejski.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fr. Murphy's Camogie and Ladies Football Club would like to thank all their sponsors and supporters for all their help during the year and would like to wish everyone a happy Christmas.

Nollaig Shona agus Athliain faoi Mhaise Dhaoibh go léir

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fr. Murphy's Ladies Footballers are due to play at the Madejski Stadium, home of London Irish, on Sunday 8th January 2012.

They will take on St. Anthony's of Reading in a half time exhibition match during the Aviva Premiership game between London Irish and Sale.

Both clubs are most thankful to London Irish for affording them the opportunity to perform there again this year.

Fr. Murphy's would appreciate as much support as possible.

Tickets are available through the London Irish website www.london-irish.com or the ticket office on 0844 249 1871

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fr. Murphy's Ladies Footballers are making the trip to Dingle in Kerry to participate in the Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé from the 24th to the 27th of February 2012.

The girls in purple and gold are drawn in a group with Drumlane of Cavan, Killeavey of Armagh and our friends St. Anthony's from Reading.

A great weekend of football and craic is assured with many former Murphy's players, now returned to Ireland, due to join the club in West Kerry.

Páidí himself met with representatives of travelling clubs in London recently and is pictured below with Larry O'Leary.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________

Larrry O'Leary, Chairman Fr. Murphy's is pictured above making presentations to Amy O'Shea (left) and Ann Marie Walsh, Cork Ladies Footballers who won the Senior All-Ireland Final this year.

The girls brought the Brendan Martin Cup to St. Gabriel's in South Harrow on Friday night last, 2nd December.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fr. Murphy's presents:

Golf Evening and Dinner

at

Top Golf Centre,

Bushey Mill Lane, Herts, WD24 7AB

on Friday 25th November 2011 at 6.30pm.

Click on the link to see further details, or contact Larry O'Leary on 07944178879 or larrygaa@gmail.com

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Good luck to Fr. Murphy's footballers in the Provincial Football Plate Final this Saturday, 8th October in Birmingham.

The girls in purple and gold take on KKG.

Thursday 6th October 2011

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Caitriona McKeon, Wicklow captain, pictured in Croke Park on Captains Day

Fr. Murphy's wish their two former players Caitriona McKeon and Lorna Fusciardi the very best when they line out for Wicklow in the All Ireland Ladies Junior Football final replay on Sunday against New York in Croke Park.

Caitriona played with Fr. Murphy's between 2000 and 2005 and actually captained the footballers in their 2004 London Senior Championship Final. She now has the honour of captaining her native county in an All Ireland. Lorna also played with Fr. Murphy's in 2010.

We would also like to wish Bronagh Sheridan the best of luck with Cavan in the Intermediate Final.

20 September 2011

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fr. Murphy's took on Bros. Pearse in the final round of group games in the 2011 London Senior Camogie Championship on Sunday last, July 17th at Greenford and came away winners on a scoreline of 3-11 to 0-01.

In spite of the final scoreline, Fr. Murphy's struggled to get going in the first half. Sinead O'Neill goaled from a long range free early on but scores were scarce and at the break the girls in purple and gold lead by only 1-02 to 0-01.

The second half saw a much more determined Fr. Murphy's team take to the pitch. Points were put on the scoreboard by Norah Costigan and Sinead O'Neill and then Thressa McConnell, after having two efforts rebound off the crossbar, goaled to put daylight between the sides.

Sinead O'Neill got another point after a fantastic pass from Siobhan O'Neill, and then a brace of points from Thressa McConnell, the second a sublime effort curled over from near the corner flag, had the girls in purple and gold flying.

More scores followed with points from Adrianne Cormickan and Sinead O'Neill, followed by a fantastic goal by Anna Gibson, and the last word was left to Norah Costigan with another point.

Fr. Murphy's now face Croydon in the Senior Championship Semi Final at Greenford on Saturday 23rd July at 10am. Tara face Bros. Pearse in the other semi final at 11.30am. The final takes place in Ruislip on Saturday 30th - time TBC.

Fr. Murphy's: Mel Hogan, Moya Maginn, Anne-Marie Keogh, Liz McGrath, Aoife Waters, Bronagh McLernon, Zoe Power, Adrianne Cormickan, Norah Costigan, Brenda Kerr, Sinead O'Neill, Siobhan O'Neill, Anna Gibson, Thressa McConnell, Laura Tarpey.

Monday 18th July 2011

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fr. Murphy's Ladies Footballers got a good win in the League on Wednesday night last in Greenford, beating KKG 1-10 v 1-02.

This Fr. Murphy's team are coming together well this year and have gotten a number of comprehensive wins under their belt in the past number of weeks.

It was an all-round strong performance by the girls in purple and gold. Scorers on the night were Jackie Shiels (0-05), Paula Middleton (1-01), Lisa Finnegan (0-02), Aoife Waters (0-01), Lorraine O'Malley (0-01).

Fr. Murphy's: Ruth Foley, Aoife O'Hanlon, Thressa McConnell, Sinead White, Claire Woodhouse, Sinead Daly, Cathy O'Neill, Lorraine O'Malley, Aoife Waters, Liz Breen, Jackie Shiels, Lisa Finnegan, Paula Middleton, Siobhan O'Neill, Michelle Richardson. Subs: Tara Davies, Jane O'Connell.

8 July 2011

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fr. Murphy's played their second game in the 2011 Provincial Football Championship in Greenford yesterday, the 3rd July. In a re-match of the first round of the London Champioship, the girls in purple and gold took on a Tara side who had beaten them comprehensively in the earlier fixture.

This was to be a different affair, however, and although missing a number of key players, Fr. Murphy's put up a very strong performance. The game was tight throughout, but it was two controversial second half penalties for Tara and a very controversial sin binning for Fr. Murphy's Aoife Waters that turned the game in Tara's favour. They ran out eventual winners by the slightest of margins on a scoreline of 3-07 to 3-06.

The Fr. Murphy's scores came from Jackie Shiels (2-04), Aoife Waters (1-00) and Laura Dunne (0-02).

Fr. Murphy's team: Ruth Foley, Clare Woodhouse, Thressa McConnell (C), Aoife O'Hanlon, Sinead White, Aoife Waters, Cathy O'Neill, Siobhan O'Neill, Lorraine O'Malley, Michelle Richardson, Jackie Shiels, Laura Dunne, Anita Donoghue, Paula Middleton, Eileen Rowsome. Subs: Jane O'Connell, Tara Davies, Caoimhe Cusack Smith.

Next game is Wednesday 6th July v KKG at Greenford at 7.30pm.

Monday 4th July 2011

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fr. Murphy's got off to a winning start in the 2011 London Senior Camogie Championship with a comprehensive 5-04 to 1-06 win over Croydon at Greenford on Saturday last, 2nd July.

Although it is a year since last year's Senior Championship final, the girls in purple and gold didn't take long to dust off the cobwebs and Catherine Moran opened the scoring with a fine point. Ruth Foley added a further point and Eleanor Hughes got a goal to leave Fr. Murphy's leaving 1-02 to 0-03 at half time.

In the second half, Fr. Murphy's upped a gear and worked tirelessly all over the pitch. Eleanor Huges bagged a second goal, and Sinead O'Neill came forward from full back to take a penalty which was saved but she was alert to pick up the breaking ball and ensure it finished in the back of the net. Laura Tarpey and Niamh Keane added further goals and Catherine Moran added two further points to leave the final score 5-04 to 1-06.

A number of players made their championship debut for Fr. Murphy's on the day - Tyrone's Sinead O'Neill, Moya Maginn of Armagh, Wexford's Aoife Waters, Galway's Catherine Moran, Siobhan O'Neill from Waterford, Laura Tarpey and Caoimhe Cusack Smith. Well done to all of these girls.

Team: Mel Hogan (C), Liz McGrath, Sinead O'Neill, Moya Maginn, Anne-Marie Keogh, Bronagh McLernon, Zoe Power, Ruth Foley, Aoife Waters, Niamh Keane, Catherine Moran, Sue Harding, Anna Gibson, Siobhan O'Neill, Eleanor Hughes. Subs: Laura Tarpey, Caoimhe Cusack-Smith.

Next weekend sees a re-match of last year's final when Fr. Murphy's take on Tara in Greenford on Saturday. Time TBC.

On Sunday, the footballers took on Tara in the Provincial Football Championship. Missing a number of key players, the girls in purple and gold put in an excellent performance and were unlucky to have two controversial penalties given against them in the second half and the game finished with Tara winning by a point.

The next football fixture is this Wednesday 6th July against KKG at Greenford at 7.30pm.

Sunday 3rd July 2011

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Higgins Recruitment Services are now hiring bar and catering staff for Lord's Cricket Ground this summer. Anybody interested should contact Martina Higgins at 07867 540 088.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

At Greenford on Wednesday night 22nd June, the footballers of Fr Murphy’s met Holloway Gaels in the second round of the London Senior Championship. Holloway have been steadily improving, whilst Murphy’s after the glory years of 2007, 2008 and 2009 had been going through a lean time.

The game was only three minutes old when Paula Middleton pointed for the Fr Murphy’s, and this was followed by a monster point by full forward Siobhan O Neill, followed by similar scores from the Meath duo of Lisa Finegan and Jackie Shiels. This had the girls in purple and gold four points ahead when Holloway staged a revival with a point from Helen O Hagan. Then Nicky Fitzgerald, who enjoyed a right battle with fellow Dubliner Tressa McConnell, pointed to make it two for Holloway. The ball was played back up the pitch through a brilliant passing movement between Aoife Waters, Sinead Daly and Lorraine O’Malley before finding Jackie Shiels, who blasted a goal for Fr Murphy’s to leave them 1-04 to O-O3 ahead at the break, after what had been a hard uncompromising half of football.

The Fr Murphy’s mentors made a few positional switches at the break and on the re start debutant Laura Dunne pointed to increase Murphy’s lead and she followed that with a goal, before being brought down for a penalty which Jackie Shiels stuck away. Holloway were finding it very hard to get through the Fr Murphy’s backs, but on the odd occasion they did  they found goalkeeper Ruth Foley in fine form. Laura Dunne then goaled again before Jackie Shiels, hit a rocket into Bridget Browne’s net but the last word was left to Laura Dunne, who  sent a low shot to the left hand corner of the net to leave the final score Fr Murphy’s 6-09 Holloway Gaels 0-06.

All in all it has been a great week for Fr Murphy’s footballers as  last weekend they beat John Mitchells  of Liverpool in the Provincial championship and they now go on to face Tara’s in that competition, on July 3rd at Greenford.

In what was a busy night throughout the county for ladies football, Fulham Irish beat Tara 5.11 to 2.08 in the Mary Feehan Cup Quarter final at Northolt and they go on to meet Fr Murphy’s in the semi final which is scheduled for 20th July.

Fr. Murphy’s wish captain Sinead Daly a speedy recovery from injury sustained during their win over Holloway Gaels.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thanks to Ladbrokes

Fr. Murphy's would like to thank Aisling Fennin of Ladbrokes Ireland for giving the club a hospitality package for the recent Cheltenham festival, which was auctioned and raised £500 for the club.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

St. Ibar's / Shelmalier team from Wexford who played Fr. Murphy's

Hannah Noonan, Fr. Murphy's, makes a presentation to St. Ibar / Shelmalier's All-Ireland winning All Star Kate Kelly

Match report

In freezing temperatures at Colindale last Saturday 29th January, Fr. Murphy's and St. Ibar's / Shelmalier from Wexford served up a great camogie game in front of a sizeable crowd.

St. Ibar's had Kate Kelly, an All Ireland winner and All Star in their ranks, and when she pointed after four minutes it looked like it would be the expected stroll in the park for the Wexford girls. A new look, determined Fr. Murphy's side had other ideas, however, and Antrim girl Mairi Mulveena quickly equalised from a free. Kate Kelly put the visitors ahead with two more points before Sue Harding moved to midfield for the home team and swung over a fine point.

Mel Hogan was in blinding form in goal and newcomer Sinead O'Neill slotted in brilliantly at full back, ably assisted by Liz McGrath and Anne-Marie Keogh on either side. St. Ibar's found goals impossible to come by past this combination but they tacked two more points to lead 0-05 to 0-02. Then a clearance from Sinead O'Neill reached Zoe Power, who picked out Mairi Mulveena, who in turn blasted a goal from an acute angle to leave the half time score reading Fr. Murphy's 1-02 St. Ibar's/Shelmalier 0-06.

The second half got underway with Fr. Murphy's again battling for everything, although the heavy pitch and cold weather began to take its toll. Kate Kelly was the major difference between the two sides and she was able to tap over another point to keep the visitors in the lead. With ten minutes to go, the score read Fr. Murphy's 1-04 St. Ibar's / Shelmalier 0-08. Then the Wexford girls finally got the goal they had been searching for.

Still the girls in purple and gold dug deep, battling for everything, and they hurled with great skill adding another point. With two minutes to go, St. Ibar's rattled in another two goals giving them a flattering winning margin of 3-08 to 1-05.

Sean Howlin has brought a youthful exuberance to this Murphy's team and all are looking forward to the 2011 season.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

.Eimear O'Higgins making a presentation to Cork player Noel O'Leary

Claire Towey making a presentation to Cork player Michael Shields

Michael Shields and Noel O'Leary with Martin Forrestal of The Shawl

Fr. Murphy's players and Larry O'Leary, Club Chairman, pictured with Cork footballers Noel O'Leary and Michael Shields

Michael Shields and Noel O'Leary, Cork footballers and Larry O'Leary (centre) pictured with the Sam Maguire cup.

Claire Towey with the Sam Maguire Cup

Fr. Murphy's Golf Day and Dinner

Fr. Murphy's Camogie and Ladies Gaelic Football Club, and Fr. Murphy's Juvenile Hurling Club present a fundraising

GOLF DAY AND DINNER

On Friday 3rd December, 2010

At the West Middlesex Golf Club, Greenford Road

Full round of golf, breakfast and evening dinner £60

Sponsor a hole £100

Evening dinner only £25

Special guests members of the All Ireland Football Champions

CORK with the SAM MAGUIRE CUP

Further details contact Larry O'Leary 07944178879

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fr. Murphy's play at the Madejski

Fr. Murphy's Ladies would like to thank London Irish Rugby Club for inviting us to perform an exhibition game at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday last, 2nd October.

They would also like to thank St. Anthony's for a great match, Catherine Keeley of Butlers Chocolate Cafe, Westfield Shopping Centre for the Player of the Match award, and Martin O'Sullivan for his wonderful hospitality at The Gateway.

The Fr. Murphy's team who performed at the Madejski Stadium

Lorna Fusciardi (centre), Fr. Murphy's receiving her Player of the Match award from Catherine Keeley, Butlers Chocolate Cafe, Westfield Shopping Centre

L-R: Catherine Keeley, Butlers Chocolate Cafe, Westfield Shopping Centre; Larry O'Leary, Chairman, Fr. Murphy's Camogie and Ladies Football Club; Martin O'Sullivan, The Gateway Pub, Reading

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good luck Susan!

__________________________________________________________________________

Fr. Murphy's would like to wish their former footballer Susan Byrne luck as she represents Louth in an All Ireland Junior Football Final this weekend. Louth play Limerick in Croke Park on Sunday.

The Fr. Murphy's footballers who won the Plate competition at the Joe Fryday 9-a-side tournament. L-R: Larry O'Leary, Fiona Noone, Liz Breen, Jenny Hannon, Jade O'Neill, Sinead Kirk, Eimear O'Higgins, Eavan McCrudden, Donna McBride, Lisa Finnegan, Conor Coneely

Fr. Murphy's had a busy day on both the camogie and ladies football pitches on Saturday last, September 11th.

The camogie team travelled to Dublin for the All Ireland 7s at Kilmacud Crokes. They were drawn in a very difficult group against St. John's of Belfast, Mullaghbawn of Armagh and Portumna of Galway. Unfortunately the girls didn't qualify from their group but they battled hard, with Melanie Hogan putting in some fine performances between the posts, particularly against her home club Portumna.

The footballers also lined out in the Joe Fryday 9-a-side tournament in Greenford, where they were the winners of the Plate competition. After a disappointing season by their own standards, they were trying to salvage something from 2010. They started the day with only six players and lost to a strong Dulwich side in their first game.

They were up against Holloway Gaels next, when they were joined by Liz Breen and Fiona Noone. Goals from both Breen and Noone had the girls in purple and gold ahead early in the second half, but Holloway hit back to win by a single point. It was now all or nothing for the Murphy's when they faced the selection team. Powerful running from the back by Jenny Hannon, Donna McBride and Jade O'Neill, with Liz Breen and Lisa Finnegan controlling the middle and Fiona Noone, Eimear O'Higgins and Eavan McCrudden causing havoc with their runs up front ensured a win for the girls in purple and gold.

Fr. Murphy's qualified for the plate semi final where they faced St. Anthony's of Reading, a game in which Sinead Kirk had been persuaded to return and play in goal for. Fiona Noone hit a hatrick to take the team through to the final, where they again met the selection team.

The final was very entertaining and Fr. Murphy's were again victorious, this time by a margin of six points, to lift the plate.

Parnells and Fulham Irish fought out the shield final, with Parnells winning 3-07 to 1-03.

Fr. Murphy's wish Laois Rose, Bernadette Ryan the very best of luck in the Rose of Tralee finals!

Bernadette played for Fr. Murphy's in their historic 2008 season. She picked up Camogie Senior Championship and Senior League winners medals, and she was part of the team that made history by beating Donard Glen of Wicklow in the Leinster quarter final.

Former Fr. Murphy's footballers captaining their counties

Three former Fr. Murphy's players are representing their counties this weekend in various competitions in Ireland.

Footballer Susan Byrne (pictured above left) is representing Louth, while dual players Caitriona McKeon (above) is captaining Wicklow in the Leinster Final and Laureena Murphy (above right) is captaining Kilkenny against Longford in the Intermediate All Ireland Championship.

The club wishes the girls every success in their respective competitions.

Fr.Murphy’s 3-08
Tara 1-12

A pulsating game of football in The Mary Feehan Cup saw a Fr. Murphy’s team of 12 players overcome Tara who had 14, in what turned out to be a memorable match.

The match started with Tara, scoring 1-05 without reply from Murphy’s, but the purple and gold brigade got going, rifling over some great points.
Eimear O Higgins was denied a goal by the Tara keeper, but fired the next ball over the bar. This was quickly followed by a point by Linda Tighe, leaving the half time score Tara 1-06 Fr. Murphy’s 0-05.

The second half began with Tara going seven points ahead. Then disaster struck for the Fr.Murphy’s as defender Cathy O’Neill broke her collar bone in an accidental challenge. The girls in purple and gold were now down to 11 players.

However, the sheer determination and refusal to give up that Fr. Murphy’s are renowned for shone through. Sinead Daly ran at the Tara defence at every opportunity, Claire Towey and Orna Tiernan were accurate in their passes, and then Natalie O Connor stormed through and was brought down and a penalty was awarded.

Lisa Finnegan stepped forward and slotted it home. Not satisfied with that, however, she raced to catch the kick out and sent that into the net again, for the sides to be level.

Linda Tighe, having played delightful football all night, then grabbed the ball and sent a blistering shot to the Tara net once again. Lisa Finnegan added a point to leave the score Fr Murphy’s 3-06 Tara 1- 09. Tara did get a bit of momentum going and pegged back the lead to two points, but Murphy’s hit two more.

With time almost up Tara went looking for a goal and a blistering shot was tipped over the bar by Ruth Foley in The Fr.Murphy’s goal. The game finished Fr Murphy’s 3-08 Tara 1-12.

It shows tremendous strength and club spirit that four girls – Eimear O’ Higgins, Bronagh McLernon, Ruth Foley and Claire Towey – after the heartbreak of losing a county Camogie final on Saturday, were there tonight giving everything for the football team.

The Murphy’s send their best wishes to Cathy O Neill for a speedy recovery from injury.