Smyth and Connaughton the stars in Raharney victory
Cumann na mBunscol Westmeath Camogie Division 1 final: St Mary’s NS, Raharney 5-7, St Mary’s NS, Collinstown 1-1
A powerful side representing St Mary’s NS, Raharney proved too strong for their gallant counterparts from St Mary’s NS, Collinstown in the Division 1 camogie final in TEG Cusack Park last Monday week.
The Deelside girls had the aid of a useful wind blowing towards the scoreboard end of the ground and they went on to dominate the first half, scoring five unanswered points therein.
The white flags were raised by top scorer Saoirse Connaughton (one) and a brace each from Niamh Briody (both ‘35s’, sandwiched between which the losers were short from a similar placed ball) and the impressive Jessica Smyth (both from play to round off first half scoring).
Any slim chance of a recovery by the Collinstown girls all but evaporated when the blue and white-clad side pounced for two quick goals after play resumed, both courtesy of the lively Connaughton (the first of them after just 35 seconds).
A goal from a long-range free from Eleanor O’Neill got the losers on the scoresheet some five minutes into the second moiety. Connaughton and Áine Brennan traded points, but the Collinstown captain’s score proved to be their last.
For their part, Raharney wrapped up a comfortable win with a point from a Briody free, followed by goals from Smyth and Connaughton (two).
After the match, Cumann na mBunscol chairman, Derek Butler presented the trophy to the winning captain, Niamh Briody.
Scorers – Raharney NS: S Connaughton 4-2, J Smyth 1-2, N Briody 0-3 (1f, 2 ‘35’), Collinstown: E O’Neill 1-0f, Á Brennan 0-1.
St Mary’s NS, Raharney panel: Nora Bray, Ellen Carey, Rachel McDonnell, Aoibhinn McKeogh, Jessica Smyth, Niamh Briody (capt.), Taylor Enright, Saoirse Connaughton, Holly Doyle, Emily Maxwell, Annabelle Bray, Grace Fitzsimons, Bronagh McKeogh, Jessica Johnston, Maria Small, Méadhbh Connaughton-Quinn, Sophie Duffy, Jill McDonnell, Doireann O’Grady.
St Mary’s NS, Collinstown panel: Sionnainn McCormack, Áine Brennan (capt.), Grace Murtagh, Keala Bartley, Eleanor O’Neill, Sarah-Louise Murtagh, Ci-Ci Mulcahy, Jessica Nolan, Kiera Coplen, Caireann Molloy, Katie Maxwell, Abbie Murtagh, Abbie Harte, Asia van Boxtell, Sophie Bartley, Emily Cogan, Ava Williams, Naomi Kiernan, Poppy Herbert, Aideen Kavanagh.
Ref: Antoinette Savage (Crookedwood).
Player of the match: Jessica Smyth (St Mary’s NS, Raharney).