Doherty keeps Raharney on course for eight in a row

Westmeath Senior ‘A’ Camogie Championship Semi-Final: Raharney 2-9, Crookedwood 0-3

Jason Keelan reports

Forwards Aoife Doherty and Amelia Shaw were very much on-song as they combined for a total of 2-5 to firmly ensure Raharney continued their quest for 8-in-a-row with victory over Crookedwood.

The Deelsiders had to wait to get things going as the ‘Wood began the stronger of the two sides in the opening few minutes of play. Anya Boyle – a willing runner throughout – launched a beautiful ’65’ to get the game’s opening score on three minutes.

Frustratingly for Boyle and co., the lead would last barely 30 seconds as Maria Kelly levelled matters for Raharney. A quickfire double from Aoife Boyle was soon followed by Kelly getting a score of her own from near the sideline to leave it 0-4 to 0-1 inside ten minutes.

Daylight was further added by Doherty who pounced on a defensive blunder from Amelia Shaw’s sideline cut to knock the sliothar into an empty net.

Rachel Shaw was introduced for the ‘Wood midway through the half in an attempt to curb the threat of Aoife Boyle. Neither side were shy of the physical clashes, and periods of fighting over possession on the ground ensued.

Katie Coleman did superbly well to track Róisín Killian as she bore down on goal for Crookedwood. The half ended with Anya Boyle converting her second free and, consequently, her team’s second score of the game. Both sides went in at the break needing contrasting efforts in the second half.

Crookedwood captain Julie McLoughlin tried to get her side going from the throw with a long ball inside, but she found no joy as the Raharney defensive trio of Jade McKeogh, Mary Geraghty and Fiona Leavy let nothing past them.

Whether it was frustration or mistiming, the ‘Wood were guilty of conceding four quick frees all for chop-downs. Amelia Shaw converted two of the frees before Doherty struck again to raise the green flag. For the first time, the gap between the sides was double-digits (2-6 to 0-2) with 20 to play.

Amelia Shaw tagged on another free before the ‘Wood found themselves down not just on the scoreboard but on the field, as full-forward Chloe Kelly saw red for a dangerous swing on Raharney captain Fiona Leavy. Kelly’s hurl was the only thing that broke, as Leavy’s ankle survived the impact.

The final 10 minutes of the contest were rather uneventful. Crookedwood tried to find scores to keep the gap down and did so through a lovely free from Muireann Scally, who had worked tirelessly all game against several strong runners from the Raharney middle-third.

Barry O’Mara’s side did have one half-chance at goal but Róisín Killian saw her effort held by Anna Weir in the Raharney goals. Weir’s clearance was quickly shovelled up the field before Doherty took a swing at a bouncing ball but saw her effort at a hat-trick flash wide of the near post.

Amelia Shaw finished the scoring with her fifth free, as Padraic Connaughton’s side now turn their attention to the final against Clonkill.

Scorers – Raharney: A Doherty 2-0, A Shaw 0-5f, M Kelly and A Boyle 0-2 each. Crookedwood: A Boyle 0-2 (1f, 1 ’65’), M Scally 0-1.

Raharney: Anna Weir; Katie Coleman, Jade McKeogh, Mary Geraghty; Aisling Keogh, Fiona Leavy, Aisling Doyle; Laura Doherty, Aoife O’Malley; Maria Kelly, Amelia Shaw, Ellen Shaw; Aoife Doherty, Therese Murray, Aoife Boyle. Sub used: Elaine Finn for Murray (50).

Crookedwood: Lorraine Kiernan; Sarah Downes, Dearbhail McLoughlin, Shonagh Savage; Fiona Greene, Muireann Scally, Alaine O’Reilly; Ailish Greene, Méadbh McLoughlin; Roisin Killian, Julie McLoughlin, Anya Boyle; Róisín Scally, Chloe Kelly, Aisling Boyhan. Subs used: Rachel Shaw for Savage (18), Ava Maleady for F Greene (38), Eva Coughlin for Boyle (41), Donna Weir for M McLoughlin (51).

Ref: Barry Nea (Clonkill).

Player of the match: Fiona Leavy (Raharney).