Core and Monaghan goals pave the way for Raharney to reach camogie final

Defending Westmeath champions Raharney booked their place in the final of the senior camogie championship with a fine victory over a spirited Drumraney side, at Kinnegad GAA grounds on Wednesday evening.

Two first half goals laid the platform for victory on the evening and Raharney sealed their place in the decider with a third major in added time.

Drumraney supporters came to Kinnegad in big numbers and generated a great atmosphere, while their team put up a really strong performance. However, a tentative start didn’t help and although they battled back, it was 2-6 to 0-6 in Raharney’s favour at the break, leaving the south Westmeath side with something of a mountain to climb.

Raharney were always strong enough to remain in control after the break despite the best efforts of the Drumraney girls.

On a damp evening, it was Raharney who took the lead when Aoife O’Malley shot over after two minutes. Indeed, they were almost in for an early goal but Hannah Core’s effort was wide of the target.

A pointed free from Amelia Shaw put the Deelsiders two clear after four minutes and Ellen Shaw shot over from distance to give them a three-point cushion on the evening. The alert Mags Darcy did well to avert the danger for the Drumraney side when Aoife Doherty played a long ball through, while the Drumraney defence scrambled well when Hannah Core’s pace threatened to carve them open.

Chloe Butler gathered a delivery from Kate Whyte and scored Drumraney’s first point of the semi-final on 13 minutes and when Áine Lynn converted a free they were right back in the game. The same player followed that with the equalising point from another placed ball on 17 minutes.

But a feature of the game was Raharney’s ability to respond and their vast experience showed. Hannah Core raced clear to fire over the lead point again on 18 minutes and they soon swooped for the game’s opening goal: Hannah Core whipped on a loose ball to find the net, after a ball in was added to by Meadbh Monaghan.

Aoife O’Malley added her side’s fifth point of the evening and it was now 1-5 to 0-3 in Raharney’s favour by the 23rd minute. While a pointed free from Áine Lynn cut the leeway at this stage, Raharney soon got in for their second goal.

Amelia Shaw’s free caused the problem for the Drumraney defence, the ball breaking to the in-rushing Meadbh Monaghan, who found the net with a clinical finish.

Maria Kelly's point followed, after Amelia Shaw’s free again provided the ammunition. Drumraney showed resolve to finish the half with the final two scores as Áine Lynn converted a free and Chloe Butler pointed from play.

Raharney’s Elaine Finn saw her effort strike the crossbar when play resumed, while Amelia Shaw’s free extended their lead with two minutes played. Áine Lynn replied for Drumraney, who needed a good spell at this stage to keep things interesting.

Megan McCormack’s industry in defence came to Drumraney’s rescue before Maria Kelly pointed for Raharney. A fine strike from 65 meters (free) saw Áine Lynn reduce the leeway, but still the lead was six points (2-8 to 0-8).

Aoife Doherty then added to Raharney’s tally when she pointed from 50 metres; fine work by Louise Carroll led to her pointing in the 45th minute but again Raharney responded with a Meadbh Monaghan point.

That was the cue to kick on and Amelia Shaw notched a free before Amelia Shaw’s shot hopped over the crossbar.

Raharney remained firmly in control of the match and in added time, Meadbh Monaghan sent substitute Emma Hynes clear and her lobbed effort found the net to complete a very satisfactory evening’s work.

Scorers - Raharney: H Core and M Monaghan 1-1 each, E Hynes 1-0, A Shaw (3f) and M Kelly 0-3 each, A O’Malley 0-2, E Shaw and A Doherty 0-1 each. Drumraney: A Lynn 0-6 (6f), C Butler 0-2, L Connell 0-1..

Raharney: Anna Weir; Katie Coleman, Jade McKeogh, Mary Geraghty; Aisling Doyle, Aisling Keogh, Laura Doherty; Maria Kelly, Aoife O’Malley; Ellen Shaw, Amelia Shaw, Aoife Doherty; Hannah Core, Elaine Finn, Meadbh Monaghan. Sub: Emma Hynes for E Shaw (49).

Drumraney: Mags Darcy; Amy Murphy, Emily McCabe, Megan McCormack; Aisling Cronin, Chloe Moran, Rhona Cuffe; Annemarie Moran, Aimee Duncan; Louise Connell, Áine Lynn, Kate Whyte; Aisling McLoughlin, Chloe Butler, Tara Hughes. Subs: Aimee Smyth for T Hughes (h-t), Maria O’Donohoe for A McLoughlin (39).

Ref: John Dermody (Lough Lene Gaels).