Lough Lene Gaels defeat Raharney to make it four in-a-row

Lough Lene Gaels claimed the Westmeath Under-16 Camogie Championship title for the fourth year in succession at Ringtown, overcoming Raharney in the 2009 final, thanks to a very good all round team performance.A good start is always very important and that good start was obtained by Lough Lene Gaels last Saturday, the Purple and Gold's moving into a six points lead inside the opening ten minutes of play. To their credit, Raharney were an improved team in the second quarter of play, the Blues creating at least three clear-cut scoring opportunities, one of which was very much a good goal scoring opportunity. But a combination of good defending by Lough Lene Gaels and poor finishing by Raharney, ensured that Raharney's scoresheet was bland at half time. Three first half goals ensured that the Purple and Gold's were in front by a margin of fourteen points at half time, in this final of a 13-a-side competition,Raharney needed quick scores in the early minutes of the second half, if they were to play themselves back into contention. Scores, namely a goal and two points were notched inside the opening five minutes of the second half. But that goal and two points were scored by Lough Lene Gaels, leaving the defending champions in front by a margin of 19 points. In spite of Raharney's improving all round performance as the third quarter continued to unfold, Lough Lene Gaels held a very commanding lead at the midway point of the second half. The pace of the contest dropped in the closing quarter of play, both teams making an number of substitutions. Raharney notched three points in the closing quarter of play, which were matched by Lough Lene Gaels. Following last Saturday's final, Elizabeth Shaw, Chairperson of the Westmeath Camogie Board, presented the Under-16 Camogie Championship Cup to the Lough Lene Gaels team captain, Niamh Lynch.It was Lough Lene Gaels who set up the first attacking move of note in the Under-16 Camogie Championship decider. But that attacking move did not result in any score, the ball finishing wide of the Raharney's uprights. However, the Purple and Gold's did open match scoring shortly afterwards, Nadina Grace hitting over a superb point. The Purple and Gold's then quickly doubled their lead, Kelly Dobson striking over a point after the ball had been played towards the Raharney's uprights by Nadina Grace.Raharney were striving with all, and every effort to settle themselves into the contest, but it was Lough Lene Gaels who moved further ahead, Niamh Lynch striking over a point. It was Raharney who then put the next attacking move of this contest in motion. However, that attacking move was swiftly stopped by the Lough Lene Gaels defence, who wasted no time in setting up an attacking move for the Purple and Gold's. That attacking move finished with Lough Lene Gaels scoring their opening goal of the contest, Orla Lynch crashing the ball low to the back of the Raharney net with a low close range shot. The ball had been played towards the goal scorer by Caitriona Murtagh in the lead up to the scoring of that goal.Caitriona Murtagh then fired wide for Lough Lene Gaels with a point scoring opportunity. However, the same player made amends shortly afterwards, driving the ball to the ball of the Raharney net through a crowded goalmouth to claim the second Purple and Gold's goal. Raharney then placed the Lough Lene Gaels defence under a sustained spell of pressure. But that spell of pressure did not bring any scores for the Blues, Jenna McKeogh just off target for Raharney, and wide, with a very well struck point scoring attempt.Having been put on the backfoot by Raharney for a quite a few minutes, Lough Lene Gaels moved into attack, Caitriona Murtagh in possession of the ball. As a result of a surging solo run by the Lough Lene Gaels No. 10, the ball eventually came into the possession of Orla Lynch. The Lough Lene Gaels No. 13 then very quickly turned sharply and sent the ball low to the Raharney net with a crisp snapshot. The ball finished up next to and behind Raharney's left upright. Caitriona Murtagh then slotted over a point before Raharney attacked again, the ball breaking between their attacking duo of Shauna Keogh and Rebecca Smyth. But Raharney did not get a score from that situation, the ball going wide, hitting the Lough Lene Gaels side netting. Jenna McKeogh then fired wide for the Blues before Lough Lene Gaels closed first half scoring, Caitriona Murtagh hitting over a point.Half time score: Lough Lene Gaels 3-5, Raharney 0-0.Raharney needed a good start to the second half, in terms of getting scores, if they were to have any ambitions of turning this Premier Under-16 Camogie Championship decider around in their favour. Scores did come in the early minutes of the second half, but they all went to Lough Lene Gaels. First of all, team captain Niamh Lynch popped over a point for the Purple and Gold's. Lough Lene Gaels then quickly added to what was already a very convincing lead, Kelly Dobson striking over a splendid point. Lough Lene Gaels continued to keep up the pressure on Raharney's defence in the moment of action that followed, keeping the Blues rearguard on the backfoot.As Lough Lene Gaels continued to push forward in search of scores, they were rewarded by the scoring of their fourth goal. The goal scorer was Aoife Cooney, who struck the ball low to the Raharney net, with a close range shot through a crowded goalmouth, despite a great effort by Raharney goal-keeper Megan McKenna to prevent the concession of that goal. The defending champions continued to keep Raharney's defence busy, the Purple and Gold's going on to increase their lead when Avril Fagan fired over a point. Lough Lene Gaels then further added to their already useful lead when Caitriona Murtagh slotted over a point. At the midway point of the second half, Lough Lene Gaels won a 45m award. That 45m award was duly pointed by Nadina Grace for what turned out to be the only score obtained by Lough Lene Gaels during the course of this contest directly from a dead ball situation.With the contest now in it's closing quarter, Lough Lene Gaels further added to their match lead when Caitriona Murtagh struck over a point. Raharney then notched their opening score of the contest, Karen Sheils striking over a point from a close range free. Lough Lene Gaels then recorded a wide via Kelly Dobson before the Purple and Gold's had their next score of the contest, Niamh Lynch hitting over a very good point. Raharney were eventually rewarded for their pressure on the Lough Lene Gaels rearguard when they doubled their tally, via a point that was scored by Aoife Boyle, in fine score.As Raharney continued to put the Lough Lene Gaels defence on the backfoot, they were further rewarded with a good point, scored by Laura Coyne. Having sustained that spell of attacking play from Raharney, it was now the turn of Lough Lene Gaels to go on to the offensive. The Purple and Gold's hit three wides in rapid fire like succession before going on to increase their lead, Kelly Dobson slotting over a point. Raharney won a penalty with the contest in stoppage time. The penalty taker was Karen Sheils who had the Lough Lene Gaels trio of Nadina Grace, Aoife Flynn and Niamh Lynch facing her. Although the Raharney No. 7 struck the ball superbly aiming it towards the roof of the Lough Lene Gaels net, it was equally and superbly saved by Nadina Grace. In the follow up match action that resulted, the ball was cleared away by the Lough Lene Gaels defence. Shortly afterwards match referee Declan Hogan brought match action to a close. Cue celebrations by Lough Lene Gaels players, officials and supporters of the completion of winning four Westmeath Premier Under-16 Championship titles in-a-row.Final score: Lough Lene Gaels 4-13. Raharney 0-3.Lough Lene Gaels: Aoife Flynn, Sinéad Connell, Yvonne Malone, AVril Fagan (0-1), Ashley Hill, Dawn Buckley, Nadina Grace (0-2, one 45m award), Nicola Fagan, Niamh Lynch (0-3), Caitriona Murtagh (1-4), Aoife Cooney (1-0), Kelly Dobson (0-3), and Orla Lynch (2-0). Subs used: Maria Henry, Ann Marie Kennedy, Caoimhe McCrossan, Lynda Healy and Mairéad O'Rourke.Raharney: Megan McKenna, Aisling Dixon, Sarah Patton, Ciara Weir, Shauna Duignan, Rachel O'Reilly, Karen Sheils (0-1 free), Amy Goonery, Jenna McKeogh, Laura Coyne (0-1), Aofie Boyle (0-1), Shauna Keogh and Rebecca Smyth. Subs used: Claire Coyne, Erin Hart, Leanne Darby and Sarah Kennedy.Referee: Declan Hogan.