Thrilling camogie finals showcase county's rising stars

The first two of the Westmeath Camogie U16 finals took place last week, both in the evenings in TEG Cusack Park.

It was Clonkill and Brownstown who took to the field first on Monday evening in front of a very healthy crowd who gave great support to both sides in what were tricky, windy, wet conditions. Clonkill found the net in the opening seconds but Brownstown never threw in the towel even when the Loughegar side struck further goals. The game would end up with a fantastic eleven goals shared out as every player put everything on the line for the cup. Evie Kilmurray was a key running option for Clonkill while Katie McDonnell, Ella Murtagh, and Aoibhinn Murphy were always available in attack. Brownstown needed Amy Beggan, Chloe Henry, and Rachel Molloy to be at their best as they had to contend with fast Clonkill attacks but also needed scores themselves. A ding-dong battle early in the second-half saw the Archerstown blues fire some spectacular points. Credit to Clonkill goalkeeper, Emma Conneely, who kept Brownstown out on multiple occasions. Goals win games and through Murtagh, Aoife Callaghan, and others, Clonkill found the net when they needed too. Despite the fightback and good goals, Brownstown lost out but with heads held high. Captains Katie Muldoon and Ava O’Brien took the cup for Clonkill. We will see more of these girls in the future, many in maroon without doubt.

Raharney and Lough Lene Gaels provided the entertainment on Wednesday evening in the most high-profiled game given it was the tussle for Division A Cup glory. Both sides also boasted many of the starting names from the successful Westmeath U16 All-Ireland winning side of weeks ago and, unsurprisingly, it was many of those who grabbed the spotlight. Raharney’s Róisín Connaughton has become the leading-light in free-taking and continued her fine form. Likewise, Ellen Mulvaney, Ruth Hynes, and Abbie McCauley provide multiple attacking threats, backed by the starting county duo of goalkeeper, Laura Doyle, and full-back, Aoife O’Connor, behind them. The Gaels, not to be outdone, brought their own power and speed with three O’Neills – Eleanor, Jennifer, and Aimee – all involved. Although the game went the way of the Joristown side by four points, the Gaels future is bright and with a panel of 29 named, there is no doubt this team will grow and contest many deciders in future. Raharney just had enough to get over the line and continue their strong run in 2024 as captains Abbie McCauley and Lucy Kennedy accepted the trophy.

Panels -

Clonkill: Emma Conneely; Ava Keogh, Katie Muldoon, Grace Harvey, Orla Egerton, Grace Doyle, Lauren English, Evie Kilmurray, Katie McDonnell, Cara Finnegan, Ella Murtagh, Ava O’Brien, Abigail Muldoon, Aoife Callaghan, Aoibhinn Murphy, Anna Kenny, Muireann Galvin, Emma Harding, Viv Daly, Aoibhinn Smyth

Brownstown: Aimee Mulvey; Tasha O’Brien, Caoilfhinn Bray, Róisín Clarke, Katie Rennicks, Chloe Henry, Emily O’Hanlon, Eleanor Corcoran, Anna Reilly, Amy Beggan, Laura Duffy, Mylah Corcoran, Daisy Mulvaney, Rachel Molloy, Lauren Henry, Erin Melligan, Olivia Clarke, Ellen Bray, Eimear Casserly, Maisy Reilly, Kin Beggan, Katie Hendrix, Abby Geraghty, Ciara Gavigan

Raharney: Laura Doyle; Ellen Carey-Weir, Aoife O’Connor, Ava Quinn; Katie Keogh, Rachel McDonald, Muireann Lawlor, Ellen Mulvanney, Ruth Hynes, Andrea Goggins, Róisín Connaughton, Jessica Smyth, Emily Spollen, Abbie McCauley, Lucy Kennedy, Lily Tyrell, Saoirse Connaughton, Emma Cunneen, Niamh Briody, Emily Maxwell, Holly Desmond

Lough Lene Gaels: Caoimhe Ginnell; Grace Murtagh, Áine Brennan, Caitlin Masterson, Seana Williams, Maggie Bartley, Skye McCormack, Lauren Sullivan, Eleanor O’Neill, Lily O’Farrell, Amelia McCabe, Emily Nolan, Shona Gilsenan, Jennifer O’Neill, Aimee O’Neill, Ava Meenaghan, Aoibhinn Nolan, Sionainn McCormack, Aideen Kavanagh, Clodagh Gallagher, Kiera Coplen, Caireann Molloy, Abbie Harte, Sophie Bartley, Sarah-Louise Murtagh, Cliodhna Fitzpatrick, Niamh-Louise Ledwith-Byrne, Keelan Nolan, Keelin Kavanagh.

Remaining U16 Finals

Drumraney v Castlepollard (Div A Shield – details TBC).

Delvin v St Munna’s/Ringtown (Div B Plate – Sept 4th, 6pm, TEG Cusack Park).

OPCC/St Brigid’s v Castletown-Geoghegan (Div A Plate – Sept 9th, 6pm, venue TBC).

Brownstown v Crookedwood (Div B Shield – Sept 9th, 6pm, venue TBC).