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Arriving in Manchester in a hailstorm we found our first opponents of the day to be our fellow London club - Fr Murphy’s. We didn’t expect a win against them but the team held themselves well and scored a goal and three points from them. It was a good game to settle us into the tournament.

As the sun began to shine we played the second game against Taras who proved worthy opponents. In a match we needed to win, we came very close to losing, but the heads never fell and a great team effort and match-saving goal from "Sweep" (Catherine Hunt) in the dying seconds of the game gave the Gaels an important draw (1-1 - 1-1). We were under pressure to win our last three matches.

In the third match against Sean McDermotts the Gaels dominated. Our back-line had little to do while the midfielders and forwards enjoyed a goal-fest. Running in from the left wing an on form Sheenagh McCullagh’s delight was clear when she opened her scoring for the day with a goal. Gayle Adams joined the midfield and caused her opposite number much frustration while upfront Sweep and Emma Fay were among the many who continued to add to the Gaels’ score-line, which at the final whistle read an impressive 10-6 – 0-0.

Next up were the Emerald Gaels. One of the tougher matches on the day, we couldn’t afford to lose it and had to fight hard. The back line were reliably strong with Kerry Armstrong running at and closing down attackers’ efforts and Noreen Kennedy and Sinead Norris, both of whom were in excellent form, winning possession and making crucial penetrating runs through the midfield to create scoring opportunities for both themselves and the forwards. Still wary of a finger injury, Catriona Murphy showed no fear in goals and made some crucial saves off the line. As the final whistle blew we shook hands on another draw.

The last match, against Erin go Brea, had to be won. Proud Waterford man, James Power, who was directing proceedings from the sideline, urged the team to stay focused. In this match we outplayed the opposition and nine pairs of tired legs put in a great performance to achieve a 3-4 – 0-1 victory and secure Holloway a place in the final. Helena Harrison, playing out of her preferred defence position, had a fantastic game in midfield and added herself to the score sheet with two goals. Orla Ridge battled away in forwards and after coming on Geraldine McCann soloed towards the goal line and planted the ball straight over the bar.

Only the John Mitchell’s stood between Holloway and the shield. The final 20 minutes of the day would be the longest and the most important. Leading by 1-1 to 0-0 at half time against a young and fit team we knew we hadn’t done enough to secure it. As predicted, the Mitchell’s came out strong in the second half and equalized within minutes. Then came the determination of the Gaels and in particular our superb mid-fielder Zoe Carr, who stormed up the pitch, giving short passes into the forward line, which inevitably lead to two more balls finding their way to the back of John Mitchell’s net. As the final whistle blew a very very happy Holloway Gaels team celebrated.

Holloway Gaels were taking the shield home again and it was a proud and emotional captain, Noreen Kennedy, who went up to accept the coveted prize. It was a spectacularly successful day for the Gaels.

Many thanks to James Power for giving up his time to travel with the team, for believing from the start that we could win and for his excellent direction on the sideline during and between games.

Nothing less than 100% commitment was given by all twelve girls in the squad, but amongst the team it was agreed that "Player of the Tournament" belonged to our recent newcomer, New Zealander "Sweep" (Catherine Hunt). She was, as they say, ‘on fire’ and when she had the ball there was little doubt that it was going to end up between the posts.