Castletown Geoghegan take the spoils over Raharney

Castletown Geoghegan 2-13, Raharney 1-11

A fine return of 1-2 from Westmeath underage star, Caoimhe Clarke, and some superb point-scoring from Caoilinn Elliffe helped Castletown Geoghegan to overcome Raharney in the fifth round of the Westmeath Senior Camogie League Division 1 on Sunday morning last.

Under the blue skies in Páirc Mhic Eochagáin, the home team, managed by Fergus Shaw, had a solid first-half to thank for building up a lead that Raharney could never quite catch, despite the best efforts of the deadly accurate Amelia Shaw.

It was Shaw who opened the scoring on two minutes, firing over for Raharney despite some good defending originally from Edel Gannon to clear her lines. A lovely point from Niamh Mullarkey levelled matters before Caoilinn Elliffe’s point put them ahead – those in attendance thought it may have gone into the net but umpires assured everyone it landed on the net off the post. Rose Macken then put in a fine hook on Emma Cunneen as she was about to pull the trigger. Gannon was then on-hand to act as goalkeeper as she cleared off the line when Laura Hannon was trying to clear further out the field.

Shaw’s free levelled the game but two quick scores on the quarter-hour put Castletown back in front – Mullarkey and Elliffe striking from range. A great burst through tackles by Rachel Flood set up Caoimhe McAteer who made no mistake taking her point.

The black and amber, however, turned up the gas and hit four unanswered points before the interval – Caoimhe Clarke, Joanne Keenan, Mullarkey, and Elliffe all finding the target. At the break, Castletown Geoghegan led by 0-7 to 0-3.

Amelia Shaw went on a scoring spree in the second-half, hitting eight in the thirty-minutes. Following her first after the whistle, Castletown responded with a goal. Elliffe, once again, involved turning provider for Joanne Keenan to smash home. Four more Shaw scores followed as the gap closed. Just when they needed a reply, Elliffe pointed and Caoimhe Clarke struck a wonderful goal to ease the tension. Shaw’s free left Stephen Quinn and Hans Mulvaney’s side down 2-8 to 0-8 with time against them. Two fine points apiece from substitute Aoife Murphy and Caoimhe Clarke and one from Elliffe ensured victory. Despite a late rally from Raharney, including a well-taken goal from Caoimhe McAteer, the home side held on for the win.

Scorers – Castletown Geoghegan: C Clarke 1-2, C Elliffe 0-5, J Keenan 1-1, N Mullarkey 0-3, A Murphy 0-2

Raharney: A Shaw 0-10 (4f, 1 45’), C McAteer 1-1

Castletown Geoghegan: Laura Hannon; Chloe Ruane, Edel Gannon, Emma King; Rose Macken, Maisie Currams, Seoighe Conway; Eleanor Conway, Niamh Mullarkey; Leah Geoghegan, Caoilinn Elliffe, Adele Geoghegan; Aideen Hennessy, Joanne Keenan, Caoimhe Clarke. Subs used: Aoife Murphy for Hennessy (h-t), Roisín Tuite for A Geoghegan (52).

Raharney: Laura Doyle; Megan Weir-Hall, Saoirse McGee, Dayna Duffy; Aisling Doyle, Therese Murray, Katie Keogh; Erin Core, Ellen Mulvaney; Rachel Flood, Amelia Shaw, Lucy Kennedy; Emma Cunneen, Abbie McCauley, Caoimhe McAteer. Subs used: Emily Spollen for Cunneen (39)

Referee: Jimbob Baker (Cullion).