Clonkill Power into senior camogie decider

Westmeath Senior ‘A’ Camogie Championship Semi-Final: Clonkill 2-9, St Brigid’s 1-5

Andrew McKenna reports

On Sunday morning last Raharney Hurling club was the host on a picturesque day as Clonkill took on underdogs St Brigid’s, with both seeking a place in the 2022 senior camogie final.

Clonkill no doubt went into this holding the favourites tag, but St Brigid’s, after winning last year’s intermediate championship, were keen to cause an upset.

Clonkill were quicker out of the blocks in the opening stages. Megan Dowdall’s free from a tight angle opened the scoring before Lucy Power’s point from play after a powerful run doubled their advantage.

Dowdall was on target again with a brilliantly measured 65 to see Clonkill open a three-point lead. Dowdall was on target once more this time from play, saw Clonkill stretch out their lead to four points with 15 minutes on the clock.

Just after the first quarter Power let a long ball in to the square which was uncharacteristically misjudged by Brigid’s goalkeeper Claire Judge, with the sliothar evading her grasp and into the Saints’ net to compound a nightmare start for the underdogs.

Brigid’s finally got off the mark in the 23rd minute through a placed ball from Ava Balfe. This sparked the Saffrons into life, as they had plenty of territory before half time but ultimately couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard.

The sides traded scores in first half injury time with Dowdall and Balfe on target for their respective teams.

A six-point deficit always seemed difficult for the underdogs to overturn, but they certainly did not lack spirit and started the second half as they ended the first.

Lisa Cully got the first St Brigid’s score from play after some excellent stick work. It was quickly cancelled out when Clonkill forward Chloe Galligan opened her account for the day. Balfe responded with a free to make it a five-point game with 40 minutes on the clock.

Clonkill introduced Caoimhe Scally from the bench, and she was only on the field a matter of minutes before she found herself through on goal, before hitting a beautifully-measured shot into the Brigid’s net to effectively end the game as a contest.

Dowdall added a free before Kristabella Tamosiunaite got her first of the day to increase the lead to double digits. A strong run and score from the excellent Lucy Power extended Clonkill’s lead further.

The Saints continued to battle away and were awarded a penalty late on, which was dispatched beautifully by Ava Balfe. This was no more than Brigid’s deserved for their efforts.

Lisa Cully got the final point of the match, but it was a mere consolation as Clonkill ran out seven-point winners.

Clonkill have now have a final to look forward to where they face last year’s champions Raharney in what will be a stern test. It’s the end of the line for Brigid’s, but they can be proud of their debut year at senior level.

On the day it was up front where the match was decided, as Clonkill’s forwards managed to get the scores that bit easier than Brigid’s. Megan Dowdall’s frees coupled with a massive contribution from Lucy Power got the job done for Clonkill.

Strong performances from the Coogan sisters in midfield as well as Méadbh Scally and Aisling Egerton were crucial for Clonkill. For Brigid’s, Ava Balfe was impressive in defeat for the Saints along with Aoife Brady and Jo-hanna Maher.

Clonkill: Rebecca Dunne; Ellen Flanagan, Méadbh Scally, Áine Doyle; Laura Gaffney, Claire Gaffney, Aisling Egerton; Alanna Coogan, Caoimhe Coogan; Holly Dowdall, Lucy Power (1-2), Kristabella Tamosiunaite (0-1); Ellie O’Brien, Holly Dowdall (0-5, 3f, 1 ’65’), Chloe Galligan (0-1). Subs used: Shauna Kenny, Annmarie O’Reilly, Caoimhe Scally (1-0), Shauna Conneely, Claire Russell.

St Brigid’s: Claire Judge; Lisa Flanagan, Dawn Wallace, Eleanor O’Connor; Karen McDermott, Jo-hanna Maher, Cliona Gallagher; Shannon Lyons, Aoife Brady; Lisa Cully (0-2), Catríona Dunne, Jenny Judge; Ava Balfe (1-3, 3f, 1-0 pen), Nicola Judge, Niamh Carey. Sub used: Aoife Moran.

Ref: Alan Lagrue (Kildare).

Player of the match: Lucy Power (Clonkill).