Sheila McGrath outstanding as St Munna’s power to Leinster glory

St. Munna’s 3-11 Arklow Rock Parnells 0-0

Inspired by captain Sheila McGrath who notched 3-4 from play, Westmeath champions St Munna’s stormed to Leinster glory in the Junior ‘B’ camogie club final, at Donaghmore Ashbourne GAA grounds on Saturday.

Victory means they advance to the All-Ireland semi-final against London side Croydon next Saturday at the GAA's National development centre in Abbotstown, Dublin.

St Munna’s completely outclassed their Wicklow opponents and played the more impressive camogie throughout, getting some fine scores as they powered to a memorable victory on what is surely a record a scoreline for a provincial camogie final. It was a proud day for the small Westmeath club as Sheila McGrath was presented with the Player of the Match award by Aileen Lawlor, former camogie president, who was afforded the honour by Leinster chairperson Linda Kenny.

This was a thoroughly comprehensive victory for St Munna’s who led by 13 points at half-time (2-7 to 0-0) following a brace of first half goals from Sheila McGrath. They added a further 1-4 in the second half, the goal coming from their impressive full forward and team captain in the second minute. They continued to dominate every sector as they pressed on to victory and whenever Arklow attacked, they found a St Munna’s defence in uncompromising form.

In dry, but cold, wintry conditions, St Munna’s took the lead through a Sandra McGrath point in the fourth minute, after the Wicklow side had shot an earlier wide. The Westmeath winners doubled their advantage courtesy of a Sheila McGrath minor a minute later and the latter soon set up Abbie Reihill for her side’s third point.

A delivery by Shauna McGrath led to a Sheila McGrath point on eight minutes as the saints continued to dominate the scoring stakes. It was not entirely obvious at this stage that they would be such comprehensive winners and indeed a goal at any stage in the first quarter for the Wicklow side would have made it interesting.

But when Áine Byrne had the chance in the 11th minute, Bridget Leavy produced a good save in the St Munna’s goal to keep her side’s lead intact.

After that Sandra McGrath notched a free to keep the pressure on the Wicklow side, while Roisín Murphy was off target following Áine Byrne’s pass in the 17th minute. After 25 minutes came a key moment as midfielder Laura Geoghegan linked up with Sheila McGrath whose pace took her clear of the opposing cover before she finished to the net.

It was a terrific run by the St Munna’s full forward and now the deficit was eight points.

St Munna’s had all the momentum at this stage and after Sheila McGrath’s chance went abegging, Abbie Reihill swept the ball over the crossbar for her side’s seventh point of the final. In added time, Sheila McGrath got her second major when she charged down an attempted clearance by opposing ‘keeper Íde Ryan and finished to the net. It came after a long ball in from Abbie Reihill and at the interval, St Munna’s lead looked unassailable.

THIRD GOAL

It got even better for the Westmeath side after the break when wing back Sandra Carey supplied the telling pass for Sheila McGrath to score her third goal. The full forward showed pace and skill, keeping her shot low to the ‘keeper’s left as she put 16 points between the teams.

While Sheila McGrath’s effort in the 48th minute came off the upright, Abbie Reihill followed up to grab her side’s eighth point. When Elizabeth Bourke tried to launch an Arklow attack, Andrea Glynn cleared the danger and that elusive score failed to arrive as Bourke missed a free.

Centre back Shauna McGrath found Sheila McGrath who shot over to put St Munna’s further ahead on 26 minutes. To compound a miserable day, Elizabeth Bourke picked up a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving the Wicklow side to finish the game with 14 players.

There was still time for St Munna’s to get two further points: in the 59th minute, Sheila McGrath’s pass found wing back Rebecca O’Neill who fired over. And in the third minute of added time, Sheila McGrath skipped clear of the opposing cover to score the final point of the match, completing a memorable performance.

Scorers – St Munna’s: S McGrath 3-4, A Reihill and S McGrath (2f) 0-3 each, R O’Neill 0-1.

St Munna’s – Bridget Leavy; Andrea Glynn, Fiona Glynn, Sinéad McGovern; Rebecca O’Neill, Shauna McGrath, Sandra Carey; Caitriona Egan, Laura Geoghegan; Abbie Reihill, Sandra McGrath, Nessa Burns; Alice Galvin, Sheila McGrath, Olivia Glynn. Subs: Donna Martin for L Geoghegan (36), Beibhinn Doherty for S Carey (46), Nicola Burns for A Galvin (46), Caitlin Leavy Aughey for E Egan (inj., 55), Ciara McHale for R O’Neill (58).

Arklow Rock Parnells – Íde Ryan; Aoife Kavanagh, Jessica Mellon, Zara Fennell; Niamh Killoran, Emma Breen, Chloe Dobson; Doireann Killoran, Elizabeth Bourke; Áine Byrne, Catherine Bourke, Ciara Lancaster; Aoife O’Brien, Maisie Mellon, Roisín Murphy. Subs: Mary Geraghty for A O’Brien (12), Orlagh Kelly for Z Fennell (25), Erin Bardon for J Mellon (44), Kelly Somers for C Bourke (53), Sophie Mooney for C Dobson (60+1).

Ref – Justin Heffernan (Wexford).