Ruane inspires Loughnavalley ladies to victory over Athlone

Westmeath LGFA Division 3 League final

Loughnavalley 2-9 Athlone 2-6

Loughnavalley just about held off the challenge of Athlone in an exciting finish to this Westmeath LGFA Division 3 League final at Rochfortbridge last Sunday.

Athlone held leads of 1-3 to 0-1 and 2-3 to 0-2 in the first half but, inspired by Westmeath player Ashley Ruane, Loughnavalley gradually turned things around and emerged as deserving winners by the end.

Ruane scored the first Loughnavalley goal to give her side a major lift in the 18th minute. When the impressive Morgan Corcoran fired a superb strike to the net early in the second half, it put the Valley girls three points ahead and that was their eventual winning margin.

Overall, an Athlone team which was missing some key players lacked the scoring power to win this final, but the 2023 junior champions have plenty to build on as they prepare for this year's intermediate championship. Lady Luck deserted Athlone on the day and they lost attacker Lorna Mulvihill to what appeared a serious injury in the closing stages.

The weather at the St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge grounds was glorious for the first half of this final which attracted a large crowd, with Athlone particularly well supported. But a heavy shower of rain at half-time when under-10 players from both clubs were playing an exhibition game was another reminder of the capricious nature of the Irish summer.

Within 20 seconds of the start, Loughnavalley almost scored a goal but impressive Athlone netminder Aoife Temple made a fine save from midfielder Niamh Mullarkey. Loughnavalley then had a let-off at the other end with Brionna Geoghegan's shot hitting the crossbar and although Gemma Mannion was unable to profit from the rebound, advantage was being played and Geoghegan pointed the ensuing free.

Ava Martin was unlucky not to increase Athlone's lead, before a bout of Loughnavalley pressure forced a ‘45’ which eventually led to a pointed free from Eabha Cassidy.

Two points in quick succession from the dynamic Geoghegan boosted Athlone and their lead was increased with the game's opening goal (12th minute). Geoghegan's free was not dealt with by the Loughnavalley defence, enabling Gemma Mannion to finish the rebound to the net from close range. Mannion started in attack but spent most of the game in a more familiar defensive role.

Ashley Ruane was denied a goal by Temple before a well struck free from Cassidy moved Loughnavalley closer. On 17 minutes, a flowing move involving Ava Martin and Geoghegan led to Athlone's second goal, with Brionna passing the ball on to Áine Ditullio, whose shot evaded Amy Donlon and nestled in the net.

Crucially, however, Loughnavalley struck back within a minute by grabbing the goal they had been threatening, as the irrepressible Ruane swept a low shot to the net.

Points from Ruane, Lilly Quinn and Morgan Corcoran left just the minimum between the sides at half-time, with Athlone leading 2-3 to 1-5.

Shortly after the restart, Ashley Ruane blasted over an equalising point and better was to come from Loughnavalley's perspective when Rebecca Ruane set up Morgan Corcoran, who drove the ball to the roof of the net with a wonderful finish.

Despite the efforts of centre-forward Grace McGlynn and the industrious play of Tara Khan, Athlone found scores hard to come by for long spells. But Ava Martin did end their wait for a score with a fine point (38th minute).

And although Athlone lost team captain Eimear O'Rourke to the sin bin for ten minutes, Loughnavalley were unable to take advantage of having an extra player in this spell.

Athlone's Lorna Mulvihill was forced off the field in obvious distress after sustaining an injury, but Geoghegan converted a 51st-minute free, earned by McGlynn, to bring the Shannonsiders within a point.

With O'Rourke having returned to the fray, Loughnavalley were soon down to 14 players when Shannon Dalton was yellow-carded for a challenge on Geoghegan. A great catch in the goalmouth by full-back Katie Henshaw was a further boost to Athlone spirits, but Loughnavalley substitute Philippa (‘Pip’) Ruane then came up with a vital point under pressure.

An incisive run forward by midfielder Adele Geoghegan created a goal chance for another Loughnavalley sub, Aoife Murphy, and though the latter blasted over the bar, it still gave her side a three-point cushion.

As the match moved into a lengthy period of added time (which was justified due to numerous stoppages), Rebecca Monaghan became the second Loughnavalley player to be sin-binned, ending her involvement in the contest.

Tara Khan's powerful run forward set up Ditullio for a point to keep Athlone hopes alive. Khan was narrowly off target with a subsequent effort and Cassidy's third pointed free at the other end sealed Loughnavalley's victory, paving the way for Rebecca Ruane to be presented with the league trophy.

Player of the match: Ashley Ruane (Loughnavalley). Ruane's power, pace and ball carrying ability were crucial to Loughnavalley's victory. She received impressive support from Morgan Corcoran. For Athlone, Brionna Geoghegan led the way, particularly in the first half.

Scorers - Loughnavalley: A Ruane 1-2; M Corcoran 1-1; E Cassidy 0-3 (3 frees); L Quinn, P Ruane and A Murphy 0-1 each. Athlone: B Geoghegan 0-4 (2f); A Ditullio 1-1; G Mannion 1-0; A Martin 0-1.

Loughnavalley: Amy Donlon; Rebecca Monaghan, Ciara Gately, Roisin Curneen; Rebecca Ruane (captain), Maisie Currams, Leah Geoghegan; Niamh Mullarkey, Adele Geoghegan; Ashley Ruane, Morgan Corcoran, Shannon Dalton; Eabha Cassidy, Lilly Quinn, Eleanor Murphy. Subs used: Caoimhe Clarke McMahon for L Geoghegan; Philippa Ruane for E Murphy; Aoife Murphy for Quinn; Avril Corbett for Curneen.

Athlone: Aoife Temple; Anna Redmond, Katie Henshaw, Alannah Reynolds Duignan, Kacey O'Neill, Eimear O'Rourke (captain), Leah Nugent; Ava Martin, Brionna Geoghegan; Tara Khan, Grace McGlynn, Áine Ditullio; Lorna Mulvihill, Niamh Byrne, Gemma Mannion. Subs used: Aine Martin and Eva Gregg for Redmond and O'Neill; Liadh Beirne for Mulvihill (injured), Lucy Allen for Nugent.

Referee: Paul O'Malley (Killucan).