Beggan inspires Brownstown to U16 camogie title

Brownstown 6-9, Crookedwood 1-1

A superb showing in attack and defence from Brownstown saw them take the Westmeath Camogie U16 B Shield final with a definitive result over a spirited Crookedwood side in TEG Cusack Park on Monday evening last.

It was in the forward berths where the Archerstown side did the damage, rushing in waves while, at the other end, refusing to give an inch. Despite going toe-to-toe for the opening period, the 'Wood just found the power of the blue jerseys too much to handle.

An early free from the sensational Amy Beggan got things moving for the blues. A mini duel broke out in the half between Beggan and Crookedwood netminder, Orla O’Mara, and despite the goals that went in, O’Mara made several brave and crucial saves.

The opening three-pointer did come for Brownstown when Eleanor Corcoran picked the sliotar from a ruck, burst forward and drove home. The first 'Wood score came from Westmeath star Caoimhe O’Mahony who struck from distance in front of a strong crowd. It was almost another green flag but a body-on-the-line block from Claire Loughrey stopped it.

Lauren Henry pointed before Caoimhe O’Mahony found the net when her free from half-way grazed some fingertips in the melee before trickling across the line.

It was one-way traffic for a time as the Beggan versus O’Mara battle continued with the goalkeeper refusing to be beaten by the half-forward. Goals two, three, and four did come in the final ten minutes of the half from Lauren Henry’s double and a fine finish from Carolan.

Two further points from Beggan put the contest almost beyond doubt but despite the mountain to climb, Crookedwood continued to fight with Emma Wiseman, Maisie Daly, and Carolann Downes never dropping their efforts.

Trailing 4-5 to 1-1 in the second period, the 'Wood made several tactical switches, including moving Éabha O’Mahony to full-back, which worked well.

The Crookedwood sideline witnessed a vastly improved defensive effort but still needed that spark going forward to appear. Brownstown tried to keep their work rate up and at the back Róisín Clarke, Tasha O’Brien, and Emily O’Hanlon were proving to be immovable, with Caoilfhinn Bray in goals behind reinforcing them.

An early Corcoran score was followed by three more from Carolan, Henry, and Beggan (free). The game then went through a battling period with no scores for over ten minutes. Heading to the final proceedings, a superb pass across the danger zone from Carolan left Ellen Bray with the chance which she took sublimely.

The final minutes saw Crookedwood hitting two wides. Just before the final whistle, Laura Duffy got the last touch on a goalmouth scramble that ensured Brownstown take home the silverware for 2024, bringing an end to a very successful Westmeath U16 club season, following intercounty All-Ireland success.

Scorers - Brownstown: L Henry 2-2, M Carolan 1-2, A Beggan 0-4 (2f), E Corcoran 1-1, E Bray, L Duffy 1-0 each

Crookedwood: C O’Mahony 1-1 (goal from a free)

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

Crookedwood panel: Orla O’Mara, Grace Craig, Claire Loughrey, Chloe McIntyre, Faye Duncan, Emma Wiseman, Maisie Daly, Sara Hanniffy, Carolann Downes, Caoimhe O’Mahony, Éabha O’Mahony, Holly Gaughan, Lauren O’Mara, Katie Savage, Helena Greene, Leah Kiernan, Beth Roche, Orla Mulvaney, Aoife Doyne, Zoey Leavy, Leah Nolan, Siún Flood, Aisling Mulhearn, Holly Shortt.

Referee: Kevin Reihill (St Munna’s).