Dobson goals fire Lough Lene Gaels girls to senior ‘B’ title

Westmeath Senior ‘B’ Camogie Championship final: Lough Lene Gaels 3-3, Drumraney 1-3

Seamus Dunne reports

Lough Lene Gaels captured the Westmeath senior ‘B’ camogie championship on Sunday in Kinnegad, defeating Drumraney by six points.

After a dominant first half by the Gaels, Drumraney responded excellently in the second. The final was very much in the balance until quick-fire goals from Aisling Conaty and Kelly Dobson swung the match in the favour of the Collinstown women.

The game started scrappily, Drumraney enjoying the better of the early exchanges, before Lough Lene Gaels started the scoring through a point from Dobson, assisted by Aideen Dermody.

Dobson was at the heart of the action again minutes later, this time raising a green flag, Caoimhe McCrossan’s effort at a point dropping short before Dobson pounced and shot to the net from close range.

The Dobson show continued with an excellent point from the wing after she was set up by McCrossan, making it 1-2 to nil in favour of the Gaels.

With Lough Lene Gaels dominant and their backs successfully snuffing out Drumraney’s attacks, Áine Lynn had Drumraney’s first shot on goal on 13 minutes, converting a free for a much-needed score.

The Gaels restored the five-point cushion when Shaunagh Maher fired over from 30 yards, after good work in the build-up from Orlaith Winters.

As half time approached, the Gaels hit several wides while Drumraney were still struggling to create opportunities. It was 1-3 to 0-1 at the break, with the Collinstown girls left feeling their supremacy should have yielded more scores.

Drumraney started the second half in ideal fashion, substitute Chloe Butler driving through the Lough Lene defence and finishing to the net, leaving just two points between the sides much to the excitement of the packed stand in Kinnegad.

Drumraney were a different team, re-energised after the half time break, and they cut the lead to a solitary score when Áine Lynn expertly converted a free for her second point of the day.

The momentum was firmly with Drumraney, but the Gaels responded emphatically to take the wind out of their sails.

A fantastic pass from Shauna Coghlan found Aisling Conaty, and after nearly being dispossessed, she recovered and fired the sliothar to the top corner of the net.

The Gaels then got their third goal minutes later to put one hand on the senior ‘B’ cup.

A long-range free from Kelly Dobson was brilliantly struck and and somehow dropped under the crossbar and into the net, dealing a pivotal blow to Drumraney’s chances of a comeback.

The Gaels enjoyed a seven-point lead now as the full time whistle approached, with Mary Doyle and Caoimhe McCrossan doing Trojan work for them.

Drumraney got the final score of the game, a consolation point from Áine Lynn – a fantastic effort from distance.

At the long whistle, Lough Lene Gaels were deservedly crowned champions after halting Drumraney’s second half momentum with two quick goals.

Scorers – Lough Lene Gaels: K Dobson 2-2, A Conaty 1-0, S Maher 0-1. Drumraney: C Butler 1-0, Á Lynn 0-3.

Lough Lene Gaels: Helen Ginnell; Jessie Ginnell, Mary Doyle, Elisha Gavigan; Ellen Higgins, Shaunagh Maher, Caoimhe McCrossan; Aideen Dermody, Aoife Higgins; Aisling Conaty, Kelly Dobson, Orlaith Winters; Joanne Williams, Niamh Dermody, Aoife Flynn. Subs used: Alva McCabe, Shauna Coghlan, Celeste Dermody, Joanne Williams, Ashleigh Mortimer.

Drumraney: Sharon Seery; Kate McLoughlin, Megan McCormack, Amy Murphy; Rebecca O’Kane, Annmarie Moran, Aimee Duncan; Orlaith Craven, Emily McCabe; Mairéad Martin, Áine Lynn, Chloe Moran; Aimee Smyth, Eva Fitzpatrick, Cara Fitzpatrick. Subs used: Ali Hughes, Chloe Butler, Carol Seery, Amy Hughes, Kate Whyte.

Ref: Barry Nea (Clonkill).

Player of the match: Caoimhe McCrossan (Lough Lene Gaels).