Munna’s leave it late to snatch junior camogie victory

It was very much a case of the late-late show as St Munna's won the Westmeath Junior Camogie final against Castlepollard in a physical and dramatic contest played in front of a strong crowd in Ringtown GAA on Saturday morning last. The game had been due for throw-in at TEG Cusack Park but was rehomed the night previous and those who braved the early-morning cold were treated to some fine hurling, top defending, great athleticism, bravery, and a period of stoppage time which seemed to last an eternity due to earlier injuries.

Opting to have Olivia Glynn play in the sweeper role proved to the masterstroke from Paddy Maloney as she put in a player-of-the-match performance and was the catalyst for much of the scoring done by the three forwards – Abbie Reihill and sisters Sheila and Sandra McGrath (with three other sisters involved also). It was Munna's who started brightest and Sandra was first to strike, raising the green flag from the umpire who decided her effort crossed the line. Pollard kept the tempo going and scores from Lauryn Sheridan and Caoimhe McCormack (moved to full-forward early-on after taking a heavy knock to her injured leg) got them going. Munnas half-forward line were putting pressure on the blue defence as they tried to clear but Liza McCormack, Aoife Gallagher, and Ruth Daniels ensured they held firm.

McCormack was influential up top and her flick ahead of Bridget Leavy in the Munnas goals ended up in the net, well-assisted by Emma Gilchrist. Despite her hobbling, McCormack held off five challenges to add another before the McGrath duo replied with three in quick succession. When Sandra added another free it was 1-5 to 1-3 but a burst before the interval put Darren McCormack’s team in front as McCormack his two frees before Sheridan struck a 45 to end the half at 1-6 to 1-5.

The second period was a mix of stoppages for injuries and growing tension which created fine drama. Janette Greville went off hurt at one end before Sheila McGrath pointed at the other following one of her trademark runs. Coming towards the final quarter, Sheridan drilled a long-range free towards goal and watched as it evaded everyone and struck the net – 2-6 to 1-6. Even with great scores from Reihill and Sheila, McCormack ensured Pollard would enter the final stages in control, smashing home from the 13 yard-line despite heavy traffic in her way.

Not to be denied, the early desire from Munna's (which had been stifled somewhat by Pollard) came back and Sandra McGrath (2 good frees from mid-range) were helped by another from Reihill to leave their side one behind. Important defensive catches by Niamh McCarthy and Aoife Gallagher kept the back line clear as Munna's desperation grew heading to added time. Incredibly, with the amount of time for injuries, a full fourteen minutes was played of stoppage time, during which Munnas turned the game scoring a further 1-3 without reply. Seven minutes into that allotted time, they levelled through Sandra McGrath’s free before Reihill put them ahead from the next attack. Sheila McGrath’s great pace and fitness put the lead out to two before the final puck from Reihill sealed the win as she hammered past Lauren Murray to finish the scoring at 2-14 to 3-6 – a 5 point win for the reds.

Scorers - St Munna’s: Sandra McGrath 1-6 (5 from frees), A Reihill 1-3, Sheila McGrath 0-5.

Castlepollard: C McCormack 2-4 (3 from frees), L Sheridan 1-2 (goal from free, 1 from 45’).

St Munna’s: Bridget Leavy; Andrea Glynn, Fiona Glynn, Sinéad McGovern; Sandra Carey, Shauna McGrath, Rebecca O’Neill; Catríona Egan, Laura Geoghegan; Abbie Reihill, Sheila McGrath, Hannah McGrath; Olivia Glynn, Sandra McGrath, Donna Martin. Subs used: Nessa Burns for Geoghegan (half-time), Alice Gavin for H McGrath (half-time), Nicola Burns for Martin (48).

Castlepollard: Lauren Murray; Liza McCormack, Laura Kilcoyne, Aoife Gallagher; Caitlin Devine, Lauryn Sheridan, Ruth Daniels; Caoimhe McCormack, Sophia Mac Lochlainn; Emma Gilchrist, Jemma Maybury, Ella Reilly; Celeste Dermody, Janette Greville, Niamh McCarthy. Subs used: Sabrina Dermody for Greville (injured, 35).

Referee: Paul O’Malley (Raharney)