Raharney run riot in blue day for Gaels

Raharney picked up their second consecutive Westmeath senior camogie championship title on Friday last, when they outclassed Lough Lene Gaels in this year"s decider, amidst the drizzle at Mullingar"s Lakepoint Park (St. Loman"s).The girls in blue had stars all over the pitch as goals from Nicola Brady (2) and inspirational captain, Pamela Greville, picked the Collinstown side apart score by score.Lough Lene Gaels failed to score in the second half, as their multiple forays towards goal were gobbled up mercilessly by an astute Raharney defence, led admirably by terrific full back, Sandra Greville.John Greville"s charges were also served well in midfield by Elaine Finn, and in attack by Aisling Doyle and Nicola Brady. But the stars of the show were Pamela Greville - who notched up 1-7 - and her fellow attacker Fiona Leavy (recipient of the Player of the Match award), who confounded the Lough Lene Gaels defence with two outstanding performances.Greville goaled for Raharney early on, before Brady bagged a second after twelve minutes, setting up the Deelsiders with a 2-9 to 0-3 lead at half time.A second Brady goal shortly after the restart killed off the Lough Lene Gaels challenge, and if Raharney keep up this excellent form in the Leinster club championship, who knows how far they can go this year.ThreatenedLough Lene Gaels threatened in the opening seconds with the first attack, but their efforts were policed by a wall of blue defenders, as they would be for the entire game. At the other end, Pamela Greville put Raharney in front with a free, before pouncing for the opening goal.The goal came about Fiona Leavy had her shot saved by Lough Lene Gaels keeper, Alma Hayden, allowing Greville to force home the rebound from close range.Greville added another point before the Gaels got off the mark in the ninth minute with a free from Joanne Walsh. But this was immediately cancelled out when Raharney"s Helen Weir finished off a solo run with a point from play.With twelve minutes gone, the Collinstown side"s lot went from bad to worse when Raharney found the net for a second time, with a determined Nicola Brady finishing on her third attempt after some frantic clearance attempts by the Gaels.Joanne Walsh converted another for the girls in purple and gold to reduce the arrears, but leading 2-5 to 0-2, Raharney were very much in command and continued to soak up anything the Gaels could throw at them.Aisling Doyle upped the Deelsiders" tally with another point, but Lough Lene Gaels enjoyed a ten minute spell of decent possession. On 22 minutes, captain Sheila Carroll shot over a point after some sustained pressure on the Raharney defence.But this would turn out to be the Collinstown outfit"s only point from play, as Sandra Greville, Liz Shaw and Andreanna Doyle continued to hamper their efforts to generate scores.Plagued by an unfavourable wind, Joanne Walsh missed a couple of frees for the Gaels, as their ten minute purple patch ended fruitless. In stoppage time, Raharney increased their lead with three quickfire points.Goalscorer Nicola Brady got the first, cutting a loose ball off the ground and over the crossbar. A superb second point for Aisling Doyle followed, before Pamela Greville rounded off the first half scoring with a free.DeterminedLough Lene Gaels enjoyed a slightly advantageous breeze in the second half, but Raharney emerged more determined than ever to bury their rivals. Forty seconds after the restart, Lisa Burke broke free of the defence and kicked the sliothar just wide of the target, and a minute later, Nicola Brady netted her second goal after Burke"s shot had been blocked.The Gaels" frustration at their lack of progress was evident, and substitute Ciara Cosgrove was booked on fifty minutes for a robust challenge on Raharney"s Elaine Finn, who persecuted the Collinstown side in the middle of the park.In the meantime, two impressive points solo runs from Pamela Greville resulted in points for the Deelsiders, wrapping up a 17 point victory. Late on, both Joanne Walsh (Lough Lene Gaels) and Carol Finch (Raharney) received yellow cards when they clashed with each other unceremoniously. This was the only noteworthy incident in the last ten minutes of a game which was, to be honest, done and dusted at half time.After the final whistle, Raharney captain Pamela Greville received the Matrix Essentials Cup from Tommy Hackett, Chairman of Westmeath Camogie Board and referee for the day.Scorers: Raharney - P. Greville 1-7 (0-3 frees), N. Brady 2-1, Aisling Doyle 0-2, H. Weir 0-1. Lough Lene Gaels - J. Walsh 0-2 (frees), S. Carroll 0-1.Raharney: Yvonne McHugh; Jacinta Goonery, Sandra Greville, Olive Carey; Andreanna Doyle, Liz Shaw, Carol Finch; Elaine Finn, Helen Weir; Aisling Doyle, Lisa Burke, Fiona Leavy; Amee Dunne, Nicola Brady, Pamela Greville (capt.). Subs used: Sarah Weir for Goonery (25), Karina Lynch for Aisling Doyle (51), Jean Flanagan for Burke (54), Colleen Gill for Finn (57), Ciara Jordan for Brady (57).Lough Lene Gaels: Alma Hayden; Sinead Lynch, Jemma Egan, Celeste Dermody; Sinead Sheridan, Jeanette McCormack, Elizabeth Hannon; Aisling Conaty, Aoife Higgins; Michelle Murtagh, Joanne Walsh, Shauna Briody; Nadina Grace, Sheila Carroll (capt.), Carina Murtagh. Subs used: Keri Flynn for Sheridan (15), Ciara Cosgrove for Briody (38), Joanne Williams for Conaty (inj., 41), Niamh Lynch for Higgins (53).Referee: Tommy Hackett (Crookedwood).