Lake Ladies finish season on high note note

Westmeath 4-11, Meath 2-7

After what was a pretty bleak weekend hurling wise for the Lake County, the minor camogie girls brought some solace to the Westmeath faithful with a thumping 10-point win against near neighbours and great rivals Meath in Kinnegad on Sunday afternoon last, securing a national title at the same time.

This was as emphatic as the result suggests and overturns an earlier defeat in the group stages. Jim Bob Bakers Westmeath charges left the best for last as they outfought, out hurled and outplayed their opponents from start to finish with an excellent display of teamwork and cohesion that their rivals could not match and with stars in every position, Westmeath ran out very comfortable winners in what was a very entertaining game.

Westmeath stated their intent from the throw in and took the game immediately to the visitors with frees from Reanna Kennedy and Abbie Reihill and a lovely point from play by Grace Bracken. On 11 minutes, Reihill crossed superbly for Caoimhe McCormack to find the net with an unstoppable shot and the Lake County were in full control. Meath awoke from their slumber, however but with full back Aine Forde in imperious form and goalie Elisha McCauley unbeatable at this stage, they could not register a score.

Another Kennedy free and a brilliant team move finished by Orlaith Winters had Westmeath eight points to the good. Ciara Flanagan was almost a one woman mission for the Royals: after opening their account with a point she then netted a goal from a 21 yard free that evaded everyone in the home defence. Westmeath responded instantly, though when McCormack fielded superbly and struck a beauty for her second major followed from the puckout by a Reihill point. Flanagan replied with three in-a-row for Meath and McCauley denied them a second goal with another excellent save before Sian Weir Hall completed the first half scoring with a fine Westmeath goal that came from their own half back line. After an impressive effort, Westmeath led by 3-6 to 1-4 at the interval.

Reihill continued the Westmeath barrage on the resumption with a converted free and a brilliant long distance effort before Meath had their best patch of the game. Flanagan pointed a free and Amy Boyle and Cliodhna Ward scored from play, but they were denied time and again in that period by some courageous and sublime defending by the Westmeath defence. Aine Forde in particular was excellent and as time wore on, it was obvious that Westmeath were determined not to let this one slip. Reihill added a free before sustaining a game ending injury, while McCormack converted from the foul on her team mate. The final nail in the coffin was struck by Niamh Keogh who netted a fourth goal for the Lake County after McCormack and Winters had set her up.

Meath took the mean look off the scoreboard with possibly the best goal of the match in injury-time from sub Izzy Kinsella, but Westmeath had the last hurrah when Aoibheann Murray pointed to seal the win and the title in some style and with plenty to spare.

Afterwards joint captains O’Neill, McCormack and Kennedy collected the shield from Camogie president Brian Molloy to the delight of the home crowd, while Aine Forde collected player of the match award.

Scorers - Westmeath: Caoimhe McCormack 2-1 (1 free), Abbie Reihill 0-5 (2 frees), Reanna Kennedy 0-3 (all frees), Niamh Keogh and Sian Hall Weir 1-0, Orlaith Winters and Aoibheann Murray 0-1 each.

Meath: Ciara Flanagan 1-6 (2 frees), Izzy Kinsella 1-0, Cliodhna Ward 0-1.

Westmeath: Elisha McCauley, Ciara Dolan, Aine Forde,Orla Dolan, Caoimhe McGee, Rebecca O’Neill, Holly McCormack, Reanna Kennedy, Grace Downes, Caoimhe McCormack, Abbie Reihill, Emma Hynes, Sian Weir Hall, Grace Bracken, Orlaith Winters. Subs: Niamh Keogh for Downes (36 mins), Eva Cawley for Bracken (40), Kara Geraghty for Orlaith Dolan (50), Aoibheann Murray for Reihill (62), Aine McKenna for Winters (65).

Meath: Jessica Cronin, Rebecca Coen, Rebecca Horan, Chloe Morris, Eve Thornton, Beibhinn Murphy, Emma Gilhooly, Ciara Flanagan, Kaitlyn Gallagher, Blaithnaid Hughes, Lea Davey, Cliodhna Ward, Anna Keogh, Amy Boyle, Kym McGrath. Subs: Caoimhe McKenna for Thornton (39), Cara Ratty for McGrath (42), Aoibhinn Kielty for Ward (53), Anna Carey for Morris and Izzy Kinsella for Keogh (59), Siofra Deegan for Boyle (61).

Referee: Paul O’Neill (Antrim).

In a nutshell

Player of The Match

Aine Forde (Westmeath): As indicated, Forde collected the official accolade and it was well deserved as she was outstanding but notable displays also from goalie McCauley, Reihill and McCormack should also be mentioned in what was a tremendous team display.