Moate hold off Caulry rally to claim intermediate crown

Westmeath LGFA Intermediate Championship final: Moate 1-10 Caulry 2-6

Moate were deservedly crowned Westmeath LGFA intermediate champions last Saturday, but a late rally from local rivals Caulry left the winners hanging on at TEG Cusack Park.

The ladies in white and black twice led by seven points during the second half, with Eva Fox’s goal looking like it might propel them to a comfortable victory. Yet Kate Stuart Trainor’s 55th-minute goal from a penalty reignited hope in the Caulry ranks and Moate were clinging on to a one-point lead in the closing moments.

This was an enjoyable final with plenty of good football and referee Vinny Cox handled proceedings in capable fashion, though at times both sides struggled to put the finishing touches to promising approach play. The teams were level at half-time though Moate enjoyed a distinct edge in the possession stakes and they got more reward in the second period.

On a lovely day in Mullingar, there was a sizeable crowd in attendance for a double header of LGFA finals, with the thrilling senior decider between Milltown and St Loman’s (which ended level after extra-time) following afterwards.

Chloe Moran’s strong run forward paved the way for the game’s first score, courtesy of Moate attacker Tara Hughes. Though not listed to start (she came in for the injured Claire O’Donohoe), Hughes proceeded to have a significant impact, scoring four points from open play.

The experienced Stacey Holloway, an influential figure in the first half, added to Moate’s lead, her shot going over via the fingertips of Caulry netminder Aisling Claffey. Shortly afterwards, the ball ended up in the Caulry net following a free from Moate skipper Thérèse Geoghegan, but it was ruled out for a square ball infringement.

Caulry got off the mark on eight minutes as Aine Gaynor’s pass set up Megan Clinton to fire over, though there was half-chance of a goal. With Geoghegan a prominent force at midfield, two points from Hughes increased Moate’s lead. Holly Keenan’s good play created the first, while Chloe Malone - who was involved in an intriguing duel with determined Caulry defender Grace Shortall - played her part in the second.

A superb tackle by Keenan on Caulry midfielder Jasmine Maloney exemplified the fine defensive work on show, but both sides found scores hard to come by. Good work from Aine Gaynor created a goal chance for Leah Quigley, but Moate keeper Grace Coughlan emerged from her goal swiftly and cut out the danger.

Moate registered five wides in the first half and they were punished for their profligacy in the 30th minute. Clinton earned Caulry a free close to the stand sideline from which Gaynor sent in a dangerous delivery. The ball fell kindly for an alert Karrissa Burns, who finished to the net off the ground. Suddenly, Caulry were level.

From the resulting kickout, the Mount Temple/Baylin outfit had a gilt-edged chance of a second goal only for Quigley’s low shot to go wide. At the other end, Claffey made a decent save from Holloway’s dipping shot and so the scores remained level at the interval (0-4 to 1-1).

Shortly after the restart, Hughes again showed her finishing ability with her fourth point. After Gaynor surprisingly missed a free, Burns levelled matters at the second attempt, with Caulry having initially threatened a goal.

A crucial moment arrived in the 35th minute. Chloe Malone earned a free-in at the edge of the ‘D’ and Geoghegan’s delivery was diverted to the net by Eva Fox. Having been in prolific scoring form earlier in the championship, Fox was well curtailed on Saturday prior to her goal.

The goal paved the way for a fertile spell for Moate and, by the 46th minute, Ken Berry’s charges led 1-9 to 1-2. Holloway (via the crossbar), Fox (from close range when a goal looked on), Emily Craven and Lara Deehan were the players on target.

Caulry’s only real response during this phase of the contest was a Clinton shot which came off the crossbar. Moate also hit the post twice with point attempts from Hughes and Annemarie Moran. As Moate looked to put the game to bed, a combination of the Caulry defence and goalkeeper Claffey was required to scramble the ball off the line in a nervy moment.

Caulry ended a lengthy barren spell when Clinton fired over after a pass from the industrious Maloney, though a goal seemed the target for the influential wing-forward. Following another good move from Moate, Malone blasted over a 52nd-minute point in what proved their last score.

Gaynor pointed a free after she was fouled herself and then Clinton was adjudged to have been fouled inside the parallelogram, with the referee consulting one of his umpires before awarding the penalty. Kate Stuart Trainor, whose pace caused Moate plenty of problems, converted from the spot and it was a case of ‘game on’.

Michelle Baker’s charges began to throw caution to the wind as they mounted a late rally in a bid to force extra-time. After Gaynor’s effort hit the side netting, Clinton raised a white flag at the end of an incisive run. And Moate’s lead was cut to the minimum when Quigley sent over a fine point after a spell of Caulry possession.

In a tense finale to this local derby decider, Moate’s Chloe Moran won a vital breaking ball from a kickout. Caulry regained possession and had one last chance to mount an attack, but Clinton’s delivery inside towards Gaynor drifted wide and the Moate camp greeted the final whistle with a mixture of joy and relief.

Afterwards, Moate captain Thérèse Geoghegan was presented with the Mary Wynne Cup by Westmeath LGFA chairperson Geraldine Giles, with LGFA president and Moate native Trina Murray also involved in the presentation.

Player of the match: Grace Coughlan (Moate). The Moate goalkeeper was chosen for the official accolade and it was clear from her reaction that it meant a lot to her. She was a capable presence between the sticks throughout. There were several other contenders with Louise Payne, Chloe Moran, Holly Keenan, Thérèse Geoghegan and Stacey Holloway all having good moments. For Caulry, Megan Clinton was an excellent ball carrier and she also contributed three points from play. Amy Murphy was a strong presence at full-back, while Jasmine Maloney toiled hard at midfield.

What's next: Moate will now represent Westmeath in the Leinster intermediate club championship with a clash against the Longford champions coming up. Having reached their first intermediate final this year, Caulry will hope to go one better in 2027 but with Garrycastle coming down from senior level and Loughnavalley also in the mix, it won't be easy.

Scorers - Moate: E Fox 1-1; T Hughes 0-4; S Holloway 0-2; E Craven, L Deehan and C Malone 0-1 each. Caulry: K Burns 1-1; K Stuart Trainor 1-0 (pen); M Clinton 0-3; L Quigley and Aine Gaynor (f) 0-1 each.

Moate - Grace Coughlan; Vanessa O’Brien, Louise Payne, Niamh Palmer; Holly Keenan, Chloe Moran, Áine Bracken; Thérèse Geoghegan (captain), Annemarie Moran; Emily Craven, Stacey Holloway, Lara Deehan; Tara Hughes, Eva Fox, Chloe Malone. Sub: Aoife Ross for Holloway (56 mins). Rest of panel: Niamh Seery, Rebecca Finlay, Caroline Malynn, Lorna Flanagan, Amy Hughes, Ella Grennan, Jennifer Coughlan, Maria O’Donohoe, Mairéad Martin, Zara Moran, Lucy Keane, Maria Farrell, Niamh Ryan, Grace Dolan, Aoife McDonald, Ellen Madden, Rachel Butler, Leyla Jones, Niamh Geoghegan, Emma Collins, Faye Hanley, Katie Ann McHugh, Chanelle O’Neill, Claire McCormack, Claire O’Donohoe (injured).

Caulry - Aisling Claffey; Grace Shortall, Amy Murphy, Anna Malone; Ella Corcoran, Ruth Martin, Lauren Claffey; Jasmine Maloney, Aishling Gaynor; Megan Clinton, Aine Gaynor, Molly Connaughton; Karrissa Burns, Leah Quigley (captain), Kate Stuart Trainor. Subs: Eunice David for Shortall (half-time); Aoife Collins for Aishling Gaynor (43 mins); Erin O’Faoláin for Connaughton (47); Susan Duignan for Malone (52). Rest of panel: Sophie Padden, Aisling Murphy, Isabelle Madden, Rachel Maguire, Leah Hallissy, Caoimhe Lawless, Ciara Nally, Katie Killane, Lauren White, Michelle Flynn, Siún Lyons, Amelia Nally, Ava Hallissy.

Referee - Vinny Cox (Rosemount).