Crookedwood claim Intermediate glory

TUS Westmeath Intermediate Camogie Championship Final

Crookedwood 0-14

Castlepollard 0-7

Adam Nuzum

Crookedwood were crowned inaugural Westmeath Intermediate camogie champions following a seven-point victory over Castlepollard in Saturday morning’s final at TEG Cusack Park.

In a contest where both defences enjoyed strong spells, Crookedwood, who led by 0-9 to 0-2 at half-time, proved more clinical in front of the posts, building a commanding first-half lead before maintaining their advantage after the break. Castlepollard, who had impressed in their semi-final victory over St Munna's, struggled to find their scoring touch on the day.

The opening exchanges were closely contested, with the first score arriving in the third minute when Castlepollard’s Lauryn Sheridan converted a free. Crookedwood responded through Aisling Boyhan, who opened her side’s account from a placed ball approaching the eighth minute. Both teams worked hard defensively, with Katie Penrose producing an excellent catch and clearance for Crookedwood, while Ava Maleady demonstrated superb awareness to intercept a Castlepollard pass.

After Castlepollard had missed a number of opportunities, Muireann Scally got Crookedwood moving with a point from a placed ball in the 15th minute.

The influential forward then added two further scores, including an excellent effort from play just outside the 45-metre line. Grace Downes followed with a fine point from inside the small arc, giving Crookedwood a four-point advantage. Scally continued to dictate matters in attack, adding another free before Boyhan pointed from play in the 25th minute.

Castlepollard were finding scores difficult to come by against a disciplined Crookedwood defence. Sheridan eventually registered their second point from a free in the 28th minute, but Boyhan responded with a placed ball before Scally added another score just before half-time. Crookedwood went into the interval firmly in control, leading by seven points.

Greater accuracy

Scally opened the second half with another point inside the opening 70 seconds, strengthening Crookedwood’s position. However, Castlepollard showed signs of a revival when a Sheridan free from the 65-metre line dropped dangerously into the goalmouth. The ball came close to finding the net amid a scramble, but Crookedwood eventually managed to clear their lines. Young Castlepollard star and minor captain Rebecca Ward then pointed from play, followed by a placed ball from Caoimhe McCormack, giving their side some encouragement.

Crookedwood’s Carolann Downes received a yellow card in the 34th minute, and Castlepollard had an opportunity to narrow the gap further when Sheridan was awarded another free. However, her effort drifted wide, with McCormack also unable to find the target shortly afterwards. Despite their best efforts, Castlepollard struggled to build sustained momentum.

Crookedwood continued to create opportunities, with Scally seeing a free drop short before Phoebe Bate came close to capitalising on the loose ball.

Boyhan added another point in the 38th minute, only for McCormack to respond from a free at the other end. Scally and Sheridan continued to exchange placed-ball opportunities, but while the Crookedwood forward added to her tally, Sheridan was unfortunate to miss another important free.

Crookedwood came close to raising a green flag in the 45th minute when a long delivery from Boyhan dropped towards the top corner of the net. Castlepollard goalkeeper Janette Greville reacted well to bat the ball away, preventing a goal that would have put the result beyond doubt. Both sides made a number of substitutions as the half progressed, but Crookedwood continued to hold the upper hand. Scally produced another excellent pass for Áine Moore in the 48th minute, although Moore was unable to convert the opportunity. Boyhan added another point from a free in the 51st minute, while Castlepollard’s Amy Higgins received a yellow card in the 50th minute.

Crookedwood continued to manage the game well in the closing stages, with Róisín Killian registering a point from play in the 54th minute. Ward responded with an excellent score under pressure for Castlepollard, but Ella Reilly had the final say, bringing the scoring to a close.

Although the match never quite reached the heights expected of a championship final, Crookedwood deserve considerable credit for their defensive organisation and greater accuracy in attack. Castlepollard battled throughout but were unable to reproduce the scoring form that had carried them through their semi-final. For Crookedwood, however, the final whistle marked a significant achievement.

Under the new championship format, they can now celebrate winning Intermediate silverware, having previously faced the challenge of competing at Senior level. Their disciplined defensive display, combined with the scoring contributions of Scally and Boyhan, ensured that the Pauline Leonard Memorial Cup would belong to Crookedwood.

Scorers: Crookedwood: Muireann Scally 0-7 (4f), Aisling Boyhan 0-5 (3f), Grace Downes and Roisín Killian 0-1 each.

Castlepollard: Lauryn Sheridan 0-2 (2f), Caoimhe McCormack 0-2 (2f), Rebecca Ward 0-2, Ella Reilly 0-1.

Crookedwood: Shona Savage, Claire Loughrey, Katie Savage, Ava Maleady, Áine Moore, Dearbhail McLoughlin, Katie Penrose, Carolann Downes, Meadbh McLoughlin, Grace Downes, Julie McLoughlin (C), Muireann Scally, Aisling Boyhan, Alanna Bate, Phoebe Bate. Subs used: Caoimhe O’Mahony, Donna Weir, Roisín Killian and Sara Hannify.

Castlepollard: Janette Greville, Chloe Wong, Jemma Maybury, Caitlin Devine (C), Ella Reilly, Rebecca Ward, Kayla Kennedy, Emma Lancaster, Caoimhe McCormack, Amy Higgins, Emma Gilchrist, Aimee Gaffney, Lauryn Sheridan (C), Izzie O’Neill and Emma O’Hara. Subs used: Shaunna Briody, Ronja Lynn Goroncy, Ariane Hayden, Louise Nea and Jennie Kiernan.

Referee: Barry Nea (Clonkill).