Monday June 25. The first piece of Philadelphia GAA . 2012 Ladies’ silverware has been lifted by the resilient Notre Dames on Sunday, June 24th. The Mairéad Farrell Memorial League Cup is in the grasp of the Notre Dames. After a one-year hiatus, they are back with a bit of vengeance. They were 2010 North American Intermediate Champions, and North American Junior ‘A’ Champions in a previous year.
Game One took place Sunday, June 17, with a result of 04-11 to 02-11 in favor of the Dames, on the back of three onion bag-busting goals in the second half alone. They sprayed first-time, diagonal balls straight into the half-forward Line with great success.
The Mairéad Farrells could only get the engine to tick over rather than putting it into their usual, maximum overdrive. The Farrells have experienced great success in their three years of existence, going to the Senior North American Semi-Finals in year one, and winning back-to-back North American Senior Titles in 2010 and 2011.
Both clubs have great stewards in between the uprights, minding the goalmouth, and both young women are American-born: Katie Kavanagh Mills for the Dames and Desiree DaBaldo for the Farrells. Mills made two saves from point blank range, which kept them in Game One in the first half. DaBaldo was exceptional in punching a rocket over the bar, conceding a point; and stopping three additional goal opportunities with her cat-like reflexes.
Game Two on Sunday, June 24, was a walkover, as the Mairéad Farrells elected to forfeit the fixture. Reports from the Farrell’s camp was that they have some girls who are carrying injuries, and another few who had prior engagements at the Beach Blast Soccer Tournament in the Wildwoods.
Philadelphia GAA spectators should be in for a treat this summer with Ladies’ football action. Manager Darren Hart has discovered the right formula to achieve two previous North Americans. Previous management got them in the right zip code but had trouble locating the Address. Will the Dames farther ascend the escalator of success, and advance to the Ladies North American Senior Finals? Trish Monaghan, Maureen Ennis, and Company certainly appear to have found most of the Ingredients for a winning recipe.
However, even with the weather well up into the high 90s and flirting with triple digits, Angela Mohan, Ciara Moore and Company have the gloves on, not willing to show their hands. They have a knack for pulling the trump cards out at the perfect time. Will the Farrells let the clutch out and motor on rampantly as they have in the past? Can the possible 3-in-a-row provide the grease needed for what opponents have referred to as a machine? When the curtain on the ladies championship is raised, there will be plenty of sore heads and lost voices before its all over, and lucky for us spectators, it hasn’t even begun.
With a tally of four North American Titles between these two clubs in the last three years, clearly Philadelphia is going to be the toll booth to the 2012 North American Senior Ladies Championship. Guess what? Neither one of these clubs is accepting E-Z Pass.
By Peter McDermott
