Aimee’s double ensures victory for Lough Lene Gaels

Lough Lene Gaels and St Munna's/Ringtown served up a magnificently contested Division 1 Feile na nGael Camogie Cup final at Collinstown’s Decotek Park on Monday evening April 13. This exciting final was played in front of a large number of spectators.

On level terms at half time, the closely contested nature of this match continued in the second half. When St Munna's/Ringtown scored their second goal when approaching the conclusion of this camogie encounter, it seemed that Lough Lene Gaels were about to be defeated. However, the Purple and Golds, winners of this competition in 2025, turned a looming defeat into a victory in a dramatic finale, hitting over two late points to achieve a victory over a St Munnas/Ringtown fifteen that certainly would have been equally worthy of success on the day, such was the quality of camogie that they played.

Equally, Lough Lene Gaels displayed a magnificent depth of team character and self belief to obtain the scores that saw them to victory. Lough Lene Gaels team captain Sarah Louise Murtagh was presented with the Feile na Gael Division 1 Camogie Cup by Westmeath Camogie Board Chairperson Deirdre Clarke. Lough Lene Gaels Camogie Club has now won this competition in its various formats and guises on at least 12 occasions, namely in, 1989, 1991, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2022, 2025, 2026.

The teams had exchanged wides before Lough Lough Lene Gaels opened match scoring, Aimee O’Neill rifling the ball low to the bottom right corner of the St Munna's/Ringtown net. St Munna's/Ringtown quickly drew level when Erin Corcoran first timed the ball low to the Lough Lene Gaels from close-range. The Purple and Golds regained the match lead with a Sarah Louise Murtagh point, before in turn St Munna's/Ringtown closed out first half scoring with a match levelling Lucy McGrath point. The half time scoreline was Lough Lene Gaels 1-1 St Munnas 1-1.

Defences dominated much of the early second half minutes of play before Lough Lene Gaels moved back in front with Aimee O’Neill's second goal, the ball from her looping shot going to the top left corner of the St Munna's/Ringtown net. A reply from St Munna's/Ringtown came with Erin Corcoran hitting over a point. This match was within its closing quarter when St Munna's/Ringtown moved in front, Evie Monaghan striking the ball high to the roof of the Lough Lene Gaels net to claim her team’s second goal.

With the superb encouragement of their supporters, St Munna's/Ringtown now looked set for victory. Lough Lene Gaels went on to the front foot though in response, winning a 45m award. Aimee O’Neill was the personification of clear headedness and calmness as she pointed a match levelling point from that 45m puck. Possession of the ball from the resumption of play was now vital, and Lough Lene Gaels achieved possession of the ball via Sarah Louise Murtagh. With three St Munna's/Ringtown defenders closely in pursuit, the Lough Lene Gaels centre-forward fired over a point to edge her team ahead.

There was no further addition to the scoreline in the match action that thereafter took place, Lough Lene Gaels winners by just a solitary point after a gripping finale.

Scorers - Lough Lene Gaels: A O'Neill 2-1 (0-1 '45'), S L Murtagh 0-2.

St Munna's/Ringtown: E Corcoran 1-1, E Monaghan 1-0, L McGrath 0-1.

LOUGH LENE GAELS: Ava Williams, Caragh Masterson, Cliodhba Fitzpatrick, Kaitlyn Burke, Riona, Devine, Sophie Bartley, Aoibhinn Murtagh, Caireann Molloy, Lilly McDermott, Emma Williams, Sarah Louise Murtagh, Meave Brennan, Emily Cogan, Aimee O’Neill, Aimee Burke, Muirne Fagan, Annie Griffith, Siomha Leonard, Roisin O’Neill, Poppy Herbert, Brona Brennan.

ST MUNNA'S/RINGTOWN: Taylor O’Grady, Abbie Smith, Niamh Whyte, Lucy Moore, Erin Corcoran, Laura Tansey, Kerys Brady, Niamh Brady, Grace O’Boyle, Isabelle Mulligan, Grace Goldrick, Lucy McGrath, Alannah Reihill, Lily Moran, Amelie De Lacy, Roisin Brady, Evie Monaghan, Alice Hyland, Ava Scally Glynn, Hannah Carey O’Callaghan.

REFEREE: Antoinette Savage (Crookedwood Camogie Club).