Crookedwood summit Leinster with second-half surge

Crookedwood 1-9, Clough/Ballacolla 0-10

By Robert Kindregan

Crookedwood conquered the Leinster Junior A Championship in nail-biting fashion, edging Laois side Clough Ballacolla by two points to book an All-Ireland semi-final place in front of hundreds of noisy supporters in Castletown Geoghegan on Sunday afternoon.

It was a match of fluctuating dominance. Crookedwood struggled to find a breakthrough in the first half and managed just three points, but a fortuitous Aisling Boyhan goal early in the second flipped the scales and instilled belief in Joe Savage’s side. They controlled possession from there and held on for the win despite a late push on goal from Clough Ballacolla.

Placed balls were key throughout the tense contest, which at times became a battle of the Boyhans. Aisling Boyhan (Crookedwood) and Chloe Boyhan (Clough Ballacolla) scored seven points apiece, with Aisling’s tally boosted by her goal.

Chloe’s exceptional striking range had Crookedwood on the back foot early on. She scored six of her side’s seven first-half points as the sides turned around at 0-7 to 0-3. The goal changed the game. Crookedwood levelled within minutes, edged ahead soon after, and held their nerve to keep their Laois opponents from their net, with full-back Katie Penrose proving pivotal.

The win was the icing on the cake of one of Westmeath camogie’s greatest weekends with their green-and-yellow counterparts Clonkill securing a Leinster intermediate final place of their own with a great win on Saturday.

Played in calm conditions with a slight chill in the air, the game began tensely, with neither side scoring until the lively Meadhbh McLoughlin struck an exceptional point over from play after seven minutes.

The score brought Clough Ballacolla to life, and Chloe Boyhan hit three unanswered points in response. The first was from play, after a clever handpass from Sarah Delaney. Around 90 seconds later she converted a 45, then added the score of the match at 15 minutes - a huge free from the 65-metre line to put her side in the driving seat.

Muireann Scally sent three consecutive balls into the box, all of which were cleared, before winning a free that Aisling Boyhan converted expertly, Crookedwood’s first score in ten minutes. She added a second after a foul on Roisin Killian to level the match.

Clough Ballacolla inched ahead through another Chloe Boyhan placed ball, this time from around 55 metres. Jade Carroll then pointed from close range at 27 minutes, her score pushing the Laois side two clear, before Chloe inflicted more damage with two more frees ahead of the break (0-3 to 0-7).

Within a minute of the restart, Aisling Boyhan stood over a free from around the 45. The ball dropped uncharacteristically short, bounced off the ground and flew into the top left corner as the keeper looked on, unable to respond to the bounce in time.

The bit of luck lifted Crookedwood. Molly Cassin answered quickly with an excellent point for the Laois side, but Aisling Boyhan converted a 45 and a free by the 37th minute to level the match.

A spell of missed chances followed, with Crookedwood dominating possession in the Clough Ballacolla half. The deadlock was broken when substitute Caoimhe O’Mahoney played in Muireann Scally, who struck over down the left on her first involvement. Aisling added another 45 before Clough Ballacolla, scoreless for more than 15 minutes, finally got on the board again with an inspired strike on the run from Sarah Delaney.

Aisling Boyhan restored breathing space with two more placed balls in succession as frustration crept into the Laois side’s play and fouls followed. Chloe Boyhan’s free in the 59th minute cut the gap to two points, and with two minutes of added time Clough Ballacolla needed a goal. Molly Cassin’s strike from distance drew gasps, but Shonagh Savage blocked it on the line to restore calm. The Laois side kept searching, but Crookedwood held firm with excellent defending to secure the win.

Captain Julie McLoughlin said the team plans on “pushing on” towards the All-Ireland and praised her teammates’ commitment to the season.

“It’s unbelievable to be here. It’s a new competition for us. Myself, Muireann and Aisling have a lot of experience but most of the squad are early 20s. They’re the future of the club and we’re excited to see when the semi-final is and try pushing on again.”

Manager Joe Savage said the key to his side’s success was enjoyment. “We’ve been training hard, but central to it all is having fun,” he said. “The girls have applied themselves exceptionally on and off the field this season and I’m very proud of their performance today. It’s a phenomenal achievement, and a credit to everyone involved.”

Scorers - Crookedwood: A Boyhan 1-7 (1-7f), M Scally 0-1, M McLoughlin 0-1.

Clough Ballacolla: C Boyhan 0-7 (0-6f), J Carroll 0-1, M Cassin 0-1, S Delaney 0-1.

Crookedwood: Shonagh Savage, Claire Loughrey, Katie Penrose, Ava Maleady, Aine Moore, Dearbhail McLoughlin, Donna Weir, Carolann Downes, Meadhbh McLoughlin, Grace Downes, Julie McLoughlin (C), Muireann Scally, Aisling Boyhan, Anya Boyle, Roisin Killian. Subs: C O’Mahoney for A Boyle (45).

Clough Ballacolla: Tara Delaney, Laura Dooley Kirwan, Ellen Hennessy, Aoife Bergin, Aine Duggan, Marian Ferns (C), Eimear McEvoy, Maeve Hennessy, Molly Cassin, Chloe Boyhan, Paige Hyland, Fiona O’Grady, Jade Carroll, Sarah Bergin, Sarah Delaney. Subs: Helen Coonan for J Carroll (43).

Referee: Nadine Murphy (Dublin).