Tara Camogie Club- London Senior Champions

Tara secured their third consecutive London Senior Camogie Championship titles after defeating south London team Croydon at Ruislip GAA Grounds on Saturday.

Tara's Denise Gilligan's was first on the scoreboard with a well converted free - in fact Gilligan didn't miss a free all game and converted 5 in total. Gilligan was in action a few minutes later when she pounced on a ball from Rosie Cusack and fired it into the back of Croydon's net, past goalie Sarah Allen.

Croydon started very lively though and piled pressure on Tara 's backs and Sharon McNeela earned herself a free, which she duly converted. Mary Dalton then made a burst through the Tara defence and shot at goal but Tara goalie Niamh Dolan was in fine form as usual and made a great save to deny Dalton. At the other end Tara 's Yvonne Donnelly had a fine effort saved but Helen Murphy & Meabh Brennan scored a point each from play. McNeela then put another free over the bar for Croydon before half time.

All year Tara have been a second half team and this final was no different. Gilligan and Angela Kenneally got their scoring boots on and shared seven successive points between them; but they were made to work for their scores with dogged performances from O'Donoghue and captain Dunphy. Croydon's Dempsey did get on the scoresheeet with a point from play but any ball that was getting up into Tara's half was sent straight back down with fine defensive performances from the half back line.

Further points from Gilligan and Kenneally and two fantastic saves by Sarah Allen from Joanne Hamilton's attempts concluded the final on a baking hot day, where Tara finished 1-13 to 0-3 and a deserved hat-trick of championship successes.

The Player of the Match award was presented by Sponsor Ambrose Gordon of The Man of Aran to Tara's captain Denise Gilligan. Close contenders included both goal keepers and Tara 's No. 6 Bid Grennan.

Tara now go on to represent London in the All-Ireland Club Championship - this year against Ulster opposition and they welcome new players to their ranks all year round for both Junior and Senior teams. See www.camogie.co.uk or text/call Sheila on 00 44 777 1957 341.

Tara: Niamh Dolan, Susanna Gill, Niamh Keating, Sheila Fernandes , Catherine Higgins, Bid Grennan, Ann Gleeson, Meabh Brennan, Rosie Cusack, Angela Kenneally, Helen Murphy, Joanne Hamilton, Yvonne Donnelly, Denise Gilligan, Grace Hamilton. Subs: Dearbhaill O'Neill, Donna Gallery , Ciara O'Shea

Mentors: Ambrose Gordon, Christy O'Gara, Tom Tighe, Graham Heneghan,