Drumraney girls denied in controversial finish

Camogie: Westmeath Under-16 Division A Championship final

Raharney 3-7 Drumraney 3-4

Raharney were crowned Westmeath U16 Division A champions thanks to a fiercely determined performance against a Drumraney side that refused to go away in Kinnegad last Friday night.

There was controversy at the end as Drumraney thought they had equalised with a stoppage-time goal after a '45' led to a goalmouth scramble. However, referee Jimbob Baker adjudicated that the '45' was the last puck of the game and that this 'score' came after the final whistle.

Despite the contentious finish, this contest was a ringing endorsement for underage camogie, and the full stand at the Coralstown/Kinnegad GAA grounds was treated to an entrancing spectacle.

The sides faced off in perfect conditions at Manorfield, with the opening exchanges giving spectators a flavour of what to expect. Deft passing and intelligent use of space saw the teams display impressive skill levels.

In the opening minute, a speculative long range shot by Raharney's Ruth Hynes dropped in the square and only for the prompt actions of Drumraney netminder Grace Reilly, the score board would have lit up early.

Those initial stages featured runs by Drumraney's Lucy Martin, a foreshadow of the threat the young camóg would present throughout this encounter.

Though much of the early battles were dominated by the Raharney forwards' link play, it was a placed ball, a 45 on the four-minute mark, that Hayes comfortably converted to break the duck eggs. One minute later, wing forward Jess Smyth added to Raharney's tally, slotting over from play to bring it to 0-2 to 0-0 to the blues.

Drumraney had their own forays into the opposition's defence, Eliza Mallon's shot on target testing 'keeper Lilly Tyrell. The team in green showed tenacity in attack, however the meanness of the Raharney defence kept the threats to a minimum.

The third score was another placed ball, Niamh Briody converting the free after sweet link up between Emily Spollen and Jessica Smyth. It took 17 minutes for  Drumraney to get on the score sheet. Erin Ó Faoláin spotted a momentary gap in the Raharney backline, cut in and split the posts to leave it 0-3 to 0-1. Briody replied six minutes later to push her side ahead by three once more.

As the clock rolled toward half-time, Drumraney centre forward Martin paid off on the promise she had been making. Breaking off from her marker, she cut through the defence with a searing run to crash the ball to the net and level matters at 0-4 to 1-1.

This goal brought the southern club to life, and they positively fizzed in an attack that was well contained up to that point, with Martin netting a second major before the referee brought business to a close, with the half-time score showing Drumraney in the lead 2-1 to 0-4.

Raharney came out of the gates in the second half with a similar intensity shown at the opening of the game. The first minute was yet to conclude when a speculative shot by Saoirse Connaughton was finished to the net by corner forward Holly Desmond and again the sides were all square, 1-4 to 2-1.

The level pegging did not last long. A long range Martin shot was saved by Tyrell, but Sally Ryan pounced to finish it to the net, restoring her team's lead. At the other end, Connaughton had another goal effort deflected by Reilly, but Briody converted the 45 to leave a two-point gap between the teams.

Briody was back on the score sheet two minutes later with a major, nudging her side ahead, 2-5 to 3-1. Sorcha Aspell next levelled the game with a fine point, then Drumraney defender Alice Ryan pushed them ahead by the minimum.

Briody then struck her second goal to see Raharney back in front, and Spollen added a minor to push the Deelsiders further ahead, 3-6 to 3-3. With the 30-minute mark looming, a Ruth Hynes point put four between the sides, but it was immediately answered by a Lucy Martin point from range.

Four minutes beyond the regulation 30, taking into account two significant injury stoppages, Martin went on another searing run that drew a sharp intake of breath from all in the stand. Her attempt at a smash and grab goal was deflected out by Tyrrell for a 45.

The referee must have told the players that there was only one bite at the cherry because, when the ball was deflected out, then wound up in the net after a scramble, the Drumraney supporters were initially elated, but the team was soon crestfallen.

What appeared to be the equalising score was adjudged to have come after the final whistle, bringing a chaotic ending to a thrilling game. Final score in Kinnegad: 3-7 to 3-4. Heartbreak for Drumraney but a well earned victory for Raharney.

Scorers - Raharney: Niamh Briody 2-3, Holly Desmond 1-0, Ruth Hynes 0-2, Jessica Smyth and Emily Spollen 0-1 each. Drumraney: Lucy Martin 2-1, Sally Ryan 1-0, Alice Ryan, Sorcha Aspell and Erin Ó Faoláin 0-1 each.

Raharney - Lily Tyrrell; Saibhe Quinn, Rachel McDonnell, Ellen Carey Weir; Maria Pohmelnih, Muireann Lawlor, Taylor Enright Ruth Hynes, Saoirse Connaughton; Jessica Smyth, Aoibhinn Gaughan, Izzy Cooney; Holly Desmond, Niamh Briody, Emily Spollen. Subs: Emily Maxwell, Grace Fitzsimons, Rachel Walsh, Chloe Geoghegan, Annabelle Bray, Kayleigh Meyer.

Drumraney - Grace Reilly; Elisha Groarke, Jane Geraghty, Alice Ryan; Ciara Gardiner, Sorcha Aspell, Kate Mallon; Erin Ó Faoláin, Niamh Murray; Eliza Mallon, Lucy Martin, Katie Meares; Emily Sullivan, Sally Ryan, Ellen Finn. Subs: Lucy Murphy, Molly Hynes, Niamh Purtill, Gemma Eivers, Eva Hickey, Faye Slevin

Referee - Jimbob Baker.