Breakthrough camogie victory for Drumraney

Westmeath Camogie League Final

Drumraney 0-14 Raharney 0-3

By Paul Doolin

Clonkill on a sunny afternoon last Sunday saw history made as Drumraney claimed their first ever county senior title and they did so in quite some style.

For years the ladies in green have ploughed a lonely furrow in the south of the county trying to keep the game of camogie going in a male and football dominant area, but all those years of toil and heartache were put to rest as they outplayed one of Westmeath’s kingpins of the game in Raharney.

It must be said that the Deelsiders were without many of their county players and things may well be very different come championship time, but for now Drumraney will bask in the glory of a league title that they thoroughly deserved and will gratefully celebrate over the coming days and weeks.

This victory will surely act as a fillip to their burgeoning underage structures and the tremendous work being done to promote the game.

The first half was a real battle and in almost ideal conditions, both teams struggled to get any sort of superiority with Drumraney hitting some poor wides early doors. Eventually, though they opened the scoring with a long-range Kate Whyte strike. Aoife Boyle levelled for Raharney after a sustained period of dominance, but the last ten minutes of the half was all Drumraney with Whyte adding another superb effort from distance.

Áine Lynn converted a free and Whyte bookended the half expertly with her third and Drumraney's fourth, after a defensive mix-up almost allowed Chloe Butler in for a goal. Butler was only just denied by a great stop from Raharney custodian Michelle Doyle, but at the short whistle Drumraney led by 0-4 to 0-1 after an entertaining half.

After the break Drumraney upped the ante and really began to string their passes together. From the fourth to the ninth minute of the half, they had added five points to their tally: Áine Lynn converted two frees, while Chloe Butler shot a marvellous team score and two outrageous points followed from Annmarie Moran that were worth the admission money alone.

Raharney were under serious pressure, but they battled like champions they are and when Aoife Boyle pointed, it looked as if they would make a real game of it.

However, the southerners took control again and began to play with even more abandon and put together some superb passages of hurling that their opponents simply could not match.

Lynn hit three on the spin, two frees and a beauty from way out the field, before influential substitute Louise Connell finished a brilliant team move with the score of the match. After scoring the first of the game for her side, Kate Whyte scored the last when a sublime pass from Moran saw her strike for a brilliant and game affirming point.

Raharney battled to the bitter end with Ellen Shaw pointing a late free, but in truth it was mere window dressing as Drumraney were long gone out of sight and worthy winners after an enjoyable game.

After the game Annmarie Moran accepted the shield on behalf of her team mates and to the delight of the large Drumraney fans assembled for this historic day in the club's existence.

Player of the match: Annmarie Moran (Drumraney). Kate Whyte, Aine Lynn, Orlaith Craven and goalkeeper Mags Darcy (the former Wexford star and All-Ireland medal winner is now resident in the Athlone area and is a huge addition to Drumraney) all stood out for the victors, but team captain Annmarie Moran was outstanding throughout and gets the accolade. Leavy, Quinn and Katie Coleman tried hard for Raharney, but Drumraney had all the aces on the day.

Scorers - Drumraney: Aine Lynn 0-6 (5 frees), Kate Whyte 0-4, Annmarie Moran 0-2, Chloe Butler and Louise Connell 0-1 each. Raharney: Aoife Boyle 0-2, Ellen Shaw 0-1 (free).

Drumraney: Mags Darcy, Megan McCormack, Áine Lynn, Chloe Butler, Chloe Moran, Ali Hughes, Tara Hughes, Rebecca O’Kane, Amy Murphy, Aimee Duncan, Kate Whyte, Rhona Cuffe, Orlaith Craven, Annemarie Moran, Aimee Smyth. Subs: Louise Connell for A Hughes (H-T), Claire O’Donoghue for T Hughes (56 mins), Kate McLoughlin for R O’Kane (60), Sharon Seery for A Murphy (62).

Raharney: Michelle Doyle, Niamh Brady, Mary Geraghty, Neal Weir Hall, Caoimhe McGee, Fiona Leavy, Therese Murray, Ellen Shaw, Katie Coleman, Tara Geraghty, Aoife Boyle, Sarah Coleman, Ciara Keogh, Aisling Keogh, Orla Quinn. Subs: Sian Weir Hall for N Brady (23 mins), Emma Hynes for C Keogh and Aisling Doyle for N Weir Hall (H/T), Saoirse McGee for C McGee and Niamh Doyle for T Geraghty (47 mins).

Referee: Gerry Goldrick.