Loughegar ladies show no mercy to outclassed Gaels

Clonkill 3-18, Lough Lene Gaels 0-3

On Saturday morning last in Joristown, Clonkill booked their place in the Senior camogie decider with this 24-point rout of a gallant but completely outplayed Lough Lene Gaels on a day when everything the Green and Golds touched with made to count and they will now renew rivalries with Raharney in the final in a couple of weeks.

In truth this was a mismatch and from very early on it was evident that Clonkill had the better cohesion, fitness and know how to defeat a battling but completely overrun Gaels side. Indeed Clonkill could have won by more if they had taken all their chances. Meanwhile, for the Collinstown women it was simply a bridge to far and no matter how they tried, they could not match a ravenous and rampant Clonkill side that only conceded three scores over the hour or so played. It sets up a repeat of last year’s decider and a shot at redemption for Clonkill and on this display it would be a brave soul that backs against them.

From the throw in Clonkill went on the offensive and laid down a marker early that they meant business, but after 10 minutes they had only three scores on the board for all their possession through Holly Dowdall from long-range, a Megan Dowdall free and a beauty from Kristabella Tamosiunaite. Try as they might, the Gaels could not relieve the pressure and three in-a-row from Megan Dowdall, a free a 65’ and a brilliant strike after a crossfield pass from Aisling Egerton moved them six clear. Lucy Power added to that total after some poor Gaels defending and just before the break Tamosiunaite and Megan Dowdall scored from field long moves that were a joy to watch and an indicator of what was to come later on too and after completely dominating the first half they led by nine without allowing their opponents a strike on goal let alone a score.

We waited for the Gaels to make a fight of it and indeed Kelly Dobson got their first score from a free on the resumption, but it merely stirred the beast so to speak and Clonkill upped their intensity even more. Megan Dowdall pointed another free before Holly Dowdall netted the first major with an opportunist strike and Tamosiunaite and Alanna Coogan added superb points. Reanna Kennedy sopped the rot momentarily with the Gaels only score from play, but Clonkill's reply was instant and emphatic with Tamosiunate netting a brilliant second goal.

Holly Dowdall added two marvellous points and Lucy Power continued the score fest as the Gaels began to wilt. Tamosiunate added her fourth point before Dobson replied for the Gaels from a dead ball, but it was mere target practice for Clonkill at this stage. Aisling Egerton got a well-deserved point, Megan Dowdall pointed a '45' and Power rounded off the scoring in style with a sublime third goal that finished the game in a fitting manner for the player of the match as Clonkill coasted home with plenty to spare. The result sent out a message to their final opponents that they are ready to battle again for the biggest prize in Westmeath camogie.

Scorers - Clonkill: Kristabella Tamosiunaite 1-4, Megan Dowdall 0-7 (3 frees, 2 45’), Holly Dowdall 1-3, Lucy Power 1-2, Alanna Coogan, Aisling Egerton 0-1 each.

Lough Lene Gaels: Kelly Dobson (frees) 0-2, Reanna Kennedy 0-1.

Clonkill: Rebecca Dunne; Sarah Kiernan, Meadbh Scally, Ellen Flanagan; Chloe Galligan, Claire Gaffney, Áine Doyle; Lucy Power, Alanna Coogan; Aisling Egerton, Caoimhe Coogan, Megan Dowdall; Holly Dowdall, Rosaleen Daly, Kristabella Tamosiunaite. Sub used: Becca Croash for Doyle (h-t).

Lough Lene Gaels: Lizzy Hannon; Shaunna Briody, Kelly Dobson, Aoife Flynn; Orlaith Winters, Elisha Gavigan, Joanne Williams; Jemma Williams, Jane Nangle; Mary Doyle, Shaunagh Maher, Alva McCabe; Ellen Higgins, Aideen Dermody, Reanna Kennedy. Subs used: Jessie Ginnell for Maher (40), Niamh Dermody for Gavigan (40), Aishling English for Jemma Williams (45), Emma Moran for Joanne Williams (45), Sophie McCabe for Doyle (49).

Referee: Gerry Goldrick (Ringtown).