Shaw’s accuracy fires Blues to semi-final win in Offaly
Leinster Club Junior ‘A’ camogie semi-final: Raharney 1-13, Naomh Bríd (Offaly) 1-9
In a game played in ideal conditions given the short run-in towards Christmas, Raharney were on the receiving end of a real test of their mettle, and one which will stand them in good stead ahead of a forthcoming Leinster final appearance.
The Westmeath senior champions were made work hard for their place in the decider against a spirited and determined Naomh Bríd side in Coolderry last Sunday, writes Joe Troy.
The opening score in this all-Midlands clash came the way of Raharney with a point from play by lively corner forward Hannah Core. Naomh Bríd’s marquee forward Grace Teehan at that point levelled matters with a free.
The pendulum then looked to swing dramatically in Naomh Bríd’s favour with a straight red card issued to Raharney wing back Aisling Keogh for an off the ball incident called by the official. This reporter didn’t see the incident, but it was flagged by the officials.
At an early stage in the game it would be easy for Raharney to panic, but their experience was telling. The excellent Amelia Shaw, who was almost unerring throughout in terms of accuracy from dead ball opportunities, tagged on a pair of frees either side of a free by Naomh Bríd captain Valerie Meagher.
Naomh Brid did sense an opening with their numerical advantage, with Orlagh Phelan pointing for the hosts. Shaw continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors and landed another good free.
Moments later, a long high ball wasn’t adequately dealt with by the Raharney rearguard and it was lashed to the net by Meagher to give the home support a good fillip early in the game.
Discipline however was their Achilles heel, as once again Shaw pointed from a placed ball ahead of the water break after an entertaining opening quarter leaving just a point between the sides, 1-2 to 0-4.
At this stage there was little between the teams, and the game was of a stop-start nature with frees the main feature of scoring. The next five scores were all from placed balls from various angles, with both freetakers really coping well with the colder weather conditions.
Shaw pointed first before a quick brace in as many minutes by Teehan, which was in turn followed up with two more expertly executed pucks by Shaw, as there continued to be little or nothing between the sides.
Naomh Bríd created the best score of the game after Orlagh Phelan took a free out past midfield and sent a pinpoint ball to the onrushing wing back Moya Bracken, who pointed much to the pleasure of the home crowd.
That was to be the last action of the half, with Naomh Bríd taking only a slender one-point lead, 1-5 to 0-7, and with that Raharney knew the game was still there for the taking as they had weathered that early dismissal quite well.
Naomh Bríd doubled their lead two minutes after the restart with another Teehan free, which was almost immediately cancelled out by Amelia Shaw, who continued in a rich vein of form.
The hosts kept their noses in front however, and Teehan extended the lead again, before Shaw landed what was a crucial ’45’ to give Raharney a big lift.
The home crowd was still the most buoyant as Teehan drilled over yet another free to send them two points clear going into the final quarter. As the water break was called, it was 1-8 to 0-9 in favour of the home team.
Raharney’s greater experience at this level was going to be crucial, and it still looked like they had a hill to climb as Grace Teehan pointed from play just after the restart.
Though the home side seemed a bit perplexed by some of the decisions going against them, they were coughing up chances to the wrong player, as Amelia Shaw wasn’t in the mood for missing dead ball opportunities. She duly converted the next three chances to tie the scores.
Then came the turning point – Raharney’s Erin Core showing a poacher’s instinct following a long-range free into the Naomh Bríd square to bundle the ball home and give a huge advantage to Raharney. It was one they wouldn’t surrender.
Naomh Bríd’s frustrations spilled over, with Aine O’Connor receiving her marching orders for a second yellow card, and the game began to slip from the Offaly side’s grasp.
After a dogged battle, the class of Amelia Shaw was evident even at this late stage, as she pointed the last free of the game to give her side a four-point win.
Padraic Connaughton’s charges go on to meet Kildare side Celbridge in the Leinster final.
Scorers – Raharney: A Shaw 0-12 (11f, 1 ’65’), E Core 1-0, H Core 0-1. Naomh Brid: G Teehan 0-6 (5f), V Meagher 1-1 (0-1f), M Bracken 0-1, O Phelan 0-1.
Raharney: Anna Weir; Katie Coleman, Jade McKeogh, Mary Geraghty; Aisling Keogh, Fiona Leavy, Andreanna Doyle; Laura Doherty, Aoife O’Malley; Maria Kelly, Amée Nea, Aoife Doherty; Erin Core, Amelia Shaw, Hannah Core. Sub: Aoife Boyle for Nea.
Naomh Bríd: Amy Ryan; Sarah Ryan, Aoife Walsh, Louise Larkin; Niamh Egan, Aine O'Connor, Moya Bracken; Mary Teehan, Orlagh Phelan; Niamh Larkin, Grace Teehan, Niamh Walsh; Charlotte McLoughney, Valerie Meagher, Clodagh McCormack.
Ref: Paul Huston.
Player of the match: Amelia Shaw (Raharney).