Camogie: Early scores fire Deelside girls

Westmeath senior camogie championship semi-final: Raharney 1-13, Castlepollard/Crookedwood 2-5

Raharney remain on course to annex a seventh consecutive Westmeath senior camogie title, but they were made to work hard for it by a game Castlepollard/Crookedwood side in Sunday’s entertaining semi-final at Clonkill.

The amalgamation outfit were rank outsiders, but showed contempt for their underdog status with a battling display against the champions. After keeping the Deelsiders to just a handful of points in the second half, they will rue some of their missed goal chances.

Overall, Raharney were on top physically and technically, and marginally deserved their victory. But Castlepollard/Crookedwood were superbly organised in defence, and though both of their goals had a touch of fortuity about them, they were in contention right until the closing stages.

Ultimately, it was Raharney’s strong start (1-3 to nil in eight minutes) which gave them a stranglehold that ‘Pollard/‘Wood couldn’t break. After a minute of play, Erin Core latched on to a ball from Maria Kelly and netted from close range.

This opening salvo was followed by a point from the industrious Aoife Doherty – a real thorn in ‘Pollard/‘Wood’s collective side – before Lauryn Sheridan went close to opening the combination side’s account, clipping the post and registering a wide.

Raharney’s Doherty then stole in behind the ‘Pollard/‘Wood defence after collecting a ball from Andreanna Doyle, only to have her goalbound shot deflected over the bar – the first of a number of saves from Jemma Maybury, which kept ‘Pollard/‘Wood in contention.

Amelia Shaw (Raharney) then pointed a free before Aisling Boyhan got ‘Pollard/‘Wood off the mark with a score on 10 minutes. This work was undone when Shaw (a free) and Hannah Core (from play) extended Raharney’s lead to seven (1-5 to 0-1).

However, just before the first half water break, Castlepollard/Crookedwood got a timely boost when a shot from Sheridan was knocked out for a ’45’ by Raharney netminder Anna Weir. Muireann Scally’s resultant puck ended up in the net, cutting the Deelsiders’ lead to four.

After a lull following the water break, Padraic Connaughton’s Raharney charges hit three on the trot through Amelia Shaw (0-2, 1f) and Hannah Core to restore their seven-point lead. It could have been 10, had Maybury not impressively repelled a shot from Core.

With half time approaching, Castlepollard/Crookedwood sent out a message that they weren’t going gently into the good night when Lauryn Sheridan hit 1-1 in quick succession – the goal coming after another long-range puck, this time from play.

However, Raharney closed out the half on top, leading 1-10 to 2-2 after scores from Aoife Doherty and Erin Core.

As a group, Castlepollard/Crookedwood – managed by Seamus Killian (trainer), Martin Egan and Joe Savage – looked dejected at the break, but there was little reason for them to be downcast, as they were still in with a real chance of causing a major upset.

A low-scoring but no less exciting second half ensued, in which Raharney – harried by the ‘Pollard/‘Wood defence – racked up several wides, while their opponents had a couple of gilt-edged goal chances.

Two minutes after the restart, Muireann Scally cut Raharney’s lead to three with a point as Castlepollard/Crookedwood enjoyed a decent purple patch. Tight marking and pressing yielded dividends in terms of possession, but not scores.

The Deelsiders, on the other hand, picked off some vital points in between a number of wides. Maria Kelly and Erin Core divided the posts, while the two Cores also had decent goal opportunities, one of them drawing another fine save out of Maybury.

Then, shortly before the second half water break, Castlepollard/Crookedwood were presented with a real chance to leave just a goal between the sides, when some tenacious play from Méadhbh McLoughlin opened up the Raharney defence. McLoughlin shipped to sub Laura Kilcoyne, who had a goal at her mercy, but her under-pressure strike went over the bar instead.

After the water break, Raharney opened up a commanding six-point lead (1-13 to 2-4) thanks to another free from Amelia Shaw, and when Muireann Scally responded for ‘Pollard/‘Wood with a dead ball effort, the north Westmeath girls were badly in need of a goal to set up a grandstand finish.

It almost came on 53 minutes, when a point attempt from ‘Pollard/‘Wood’s Lauryn Sheridan was knocked down by Anna Weir. A furious charge for the rebound ensued, but Raharney cleared their lines.

Maybury again rescued ‘Pollard/‘Wood with another outstanding save in stoppage time, but the combination team failed to generate the requisite results at the other end, as Raharney prevailed by five points.

The Deelsiders will have their work cut out in the final, with Clonkill in merciless form against Drumraney and surely determined to end Raharney’s monopoly on the Matrix Cup.

Scorers – Raharney: A Shaw 0-6 (5f), E Core 1-1, A Doherty 0-3, H Core 0-2, M Kelly 0-1. Castlepollard/Crookedwood: M Scally 1-2 (1-0 ’45’, 0-1f), L Sheridan 1-1, A Boyhan and L Kilcoyne 0-1 each.

Raharney: Anna Weir; Katie Coleman, Jade McKeogh, Mary Geraghty; Aisling Keogh, Fiona Leavy, Andreanna Doyle; Laura Doherty, Aoife O’Malley; Aoife Doherty, Amée Nea, Maria Kelly; Erin Core, Amelia Shaw, Hannah Core. Subs used: Aisling Doyle for Geraghty (49), Aoife Boyle for Nea (inj., 56).

Castlepollard/Crookedwood: Jemma Maybury; Shonagh Savage, Julie McLoughlin, Ava Maleady; Róisín Scally, Eva Coghlan, Dearbhail McLoughlin; Ailish Greene, Méadhbh McLoughlin; Róisín Killian, Muireann Scally, Aisling Boyhan; Lauryn Sheridan, Sarah Downes, Anya Boyle. Subs used: Laura Kilcoyne for Boyle (h-t), Janette McCormack for Greene (49).

Ref: Barry Nea (Turin).