Connaughton's class crucial as Raharney claim the spoils

Raharney 1-8, Lough Lene Gaels 2-4

The Division 1 Camogie League final was played in TEG Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon last, in very warm conditions. The county board had advised of water breaks for the middle of each half, which was welcomed by both sets of players who played in very warm, humid conditions.

In a game that was short of scores and quality in general, it sprung to life in injury time in the second half. When the clock reached 60 minutes, it looked like the league title was heading out to Collinstown, with Lough Lene Gaels holding a slender one-point lead. However, deep into injury-time, Raharney top scorer Roisin Connaughton turned the game on its head with two points from the right wing to win the league title for the Deelsiders.

Lough Lene Gaels made the brighter start to the game. However, this was not reflected on the scoreboard as the game remained scoreless until the eighth minute. Caoimhe Ginnell had a chance to open the scoring in the first minute. However, she saw the sliotar hit the post and it was eventually cleared out of the Raharney defence. Ginnell did eventually open the scoring in the when she pointed from a free, after being fouled herself by her marker, Aisling Keogh.

Lough Lene Gaels seemed to take complete control of the game in the 10th minute. Firstly, Kelly Dobson sent the sliotar to the back of the Raharney net direct from a long range free, putting the Collinstown based outfit four points ahead. This lead was increased to seven points in a matter of seconds. Caoimhe Ginnell won the sliotar from a ruck and proceeded to turn and solo towards goal. Her shot was dispatched expertly to the back of the net.

Raharney appeared to be in disarray at this point. Padraic Connaughton made an immediate change to counteract this excellent start for the Gaels. He brought on county star, Laura Doherty, in place of the injured Aoife O’Connor. She immediately went in to mark the dangerous Caoimhe Ginnell. Raharney eventually opened their scoring account in the 14th minute with a Roisin Connaughton free. It was another eight minutes before another score was registered in the game. This time it was a well taken point from play by Lough Lene Gaels wing forward, Alisha Harte. This left the Gaels seven points in front: Lough Lene Gaels 2-2; Raharney 0-1.

Ruth Hynes provided a huge boost to the Deelsiders in the 25th minute. After gathering possession of the sliotar, she soloed through with, stepped left to avoid a tackle, and rifled the ball to the top corner of the Gaels net. This goal was followed by a point from play by Roisin Connaughton two minutes later. Despite the strong start from Lough Lene Gaels, Raharney were very much back in contention now with just a goal between the teams.

While Raharney were taking control of the game, they failed to register another score in the first half. This was due, in no small part, to some excellent defending from Lough Lene Gaels. On the half-time whistle, the Gaels lead by a goal: Lough Lene Gaels 2-2; Raharney 1-2.

The second half started with a change made to each team, with Erin Core being introduced for Raharney and Maggie Bartley coming on for Lough Lene Gaels. Core was immediately impacting the play and was fouled in the opening minute of the second half. Roisin Connaughton successfully converted the free to leave two points between the teams. Raharney appeared to be on top but were wayward with their shooting and registered a few wides. In the 38th minute, however, they brought the deficit back to a single point. Ruth Hynes came out of a ruck with possession of the sliotar and put the ball over the bar from 25 metres out.

The game became very attritional at this stage, with a lot of play along the sideline leading to numerous rucks and sideline balls for both teams. After the water break, Raharney assumed superiority in general play, but were not reflecting this on the scoreboard. They did, however, level matters in the 50th minute. Again, the score came from the reliable Roisin Connaughton. In the 55th minute, Raharney assumed the lead for the first time in the match. A long-range free taken by Ellen Mulvaney bounced about six metres from goal, and the hard ground ensured the sliotar landed over the bar.

Lough Lene Gaels, and specifically Caoimhe Ginnell were not finished though. Ginnell pointed from a free in the 25th minute to level the scores again and converted another free in the 29th minute to give the Collinstown girls the lead at a crucial time. However, the final words went to Roisin Connaughton who scored two vital injury time points to take the 2026 Division 1 lead title to Raharney.

Lough Lene Gaels would have welcomed silverware with open arms back to Collinstown. However, it was not to be and Raharney were victorious. Despite the low scoring, this final felt like the start of a very interesting rivalry between two traditional powers of Westmeath camogie.

Scorers for Raharney: Roisin Connaughton 0-6 (0-2 frees), Ruth Hynes 1-1, Ellen Mulvaney 0-1 (free).

Lough Lene Gaels: Caoimhe Ginnell 1-3 (0-3 frees), Kelly Dobson 1-0, Alisha Harte 0-1.

Raharney: Saoirse McGee; Aoife O’Connor, Therese Murray, Aisling Keogh; Ellen Shaw, Ellen Mulvaney, Emma Hynes; Sian Weir Hall, Ruth Hynes; Caoimhe McAteer, Aoife Doherty, Sarah Coleman; Roisin Connaughton, Fiona Leavy, Meadbh Monaghan.

Subs used: Laura Doherty for Aoife O’Connor (12th min), Aisling Doyle for Emma Hynes (18th min), Erin Core for Sarah Coleman (HT), Saoirse Connaughton for Caoimhe McAteer (39th min)

Lough Lene Gaels: Kelly Dobson; Jessie Ginnell, Aoife Flynn, Grace Murtagh; Alva McCabe, Sinead Lynch, Sophie McCabe; Lauren Kavanagh, Orlaith Dolan; Alisha Harte, Catriona Kennedy, Reanna Kennedy; Keelin Kavanagh, Shauna Coghlan, Caoimhe Ginnell.

Subs used: Maggie Bartley for Sophie McCabe (HT), Aisling Duffy for Caitriona Kennedy (36th min), Jenny O’Neill for Lauren Kavanagh (40th min), Jane Nangle for Shauna Coghlan (43rd min).

Referee: Kevin Reihill (St. Munnas).