Goals crucial as Naas deny Raharney Leinster final spot

Naas 2-6 Raharney 0-10

Naas secured their place in the Leinster Intermediate Camogie Championship final with a hard-fought victory over Raharney at Joristown Park on Sunday. In ideal weather conditions, the Westmeath champions held high hopes of progressing to the final but it was the visitors who prevailed by two points in a tightly contested encounter.

This semi-final was a testament to both teams’ resilience and skill, with Naas showing the composure to take their chances when it mattered most. In corner forward Caoimhe Maher they had an impressive finisher and a player who was always dangerous on the ball. It was her strike from a penalty after 54 minutes that ultimately decided the issue, while earlier she set up centre forward Allie McGrath for her side’s opening goal.

Indeed, the old cliché ‘goals win games’ proved a fitting one here and while Raharney did hold a three-point lead after 40 minutes, they just couldn’t put sufficient daylight between themselves and a gritty Naas side.

Raharney, who led by 0-5 to 0-4 at the break, will be disappointed but can hold their heads high after a spirited performance, while Naas now look forward to a Leinster final.

Raharney started strongly, taking an early lead through a point from Aoife Doherty after a well-taken free in the third minute. Aoife O'Malley doubled the lead a minute later, giving the home side early momentum. However, Naas responded quickly, with Rebecca McDermott, who had just come on as a blood substitute, getting them on the scoreboard in the sixth minute.

Hannah Core, the lively Raharney full forward, illustrated her skill to add another point for Raharney, extending their lead. Naas fought back with Caoimhe Maher converting a free in the 16th minute, followed by a point from Allie McGrath, who showed great strength to fend off the Raharney defence. Aoife Stynes then added another point for Naas, putting them in control after three unanswered scores.

Elaine Finn put Raharney back on level terms with a point in the 25th minute, and shortly before the break, Doherty added another free to give the hosts a slender half-time advantage.

Raharney continued their strong play into the second half, with Doherty converting another free in the third minute. When Naas full-back Áine Conway was penalised for over-carrying, Doherty capitalised again, extending Raharney’s lead to 0-7 to 0-4.

However, Naas responded with grit. Maher reduced the deficit with a free in the 14th minute, before McGrath found the back of the net two minutes later, coolly slotting the ball low after Maher's precise pass set her up. Naas now led by 1-5 to 0-7, a lead they were never to relinquish.

Maher added another point shortly after McGrath’s goal, pushing Naas further ahead. Though Raharney fought to keep pace, Naas struck a decisive blow in the 24th minute. After McGrath’s pass set Maher through on goal, the Naas forward was fouled, and from the resulting penalty, Maher found the net with an impressive finish. Naas now led by 2-6 to 0-8, putting Raharney under significant pressure.

Despite late efforts from Deelsiders, with Doherty scoring two points – one from a free – the clock was against them. Naas consolidated their position, clinching a two-point win and a spot in the final. Raharney were the last remaining ladies team from Westmeath left standing and certainly gave their all, producing a typically determined display. The result could have gone either way but the two goals clearly made all the difference in such a closely-fought semi-final.

Scorers - Naas: C Maher 1-3 (0-2f; 1-0 pen); A McGrath 1-1; A Stynes and R McDermott 0-1 each.

Raharney: A Doherty 0-7 (6f); A O'Malley, H Core and E Finn 0-1 each.

Naas - Roisín Roche; Áine Mernagh, Áine Conway, Kelly Perkins; Fahsai Nic Chonchradha, Niamh Hegarty, Aoife McCarthy; Sara Carroll, Roise Hennessy; Tara Bedford, Allie McGrath, Aoife McDermott; Caoimhe Maher, Ciara Ryan, Aoife Stynes. Subs: Rebecca McDermott for Bedford (40), Sophie Hazzard for Ryan (55).

Raharney - Anna Weir; Katie Coleman, Jade McKeogh, Mary Geraghty; Maria Kelly, Fiona Leavy, Therese Murray; Aoife O’Malley, Laura Doherty; Ellen Shaw, Elaine Finn, Aoife Doherty; Meadbh Monaghan, Hannah Core, Erin Core. Subs: Aisling Doyle for Murray (26), Amelia Shaw for Monaghan (45), Emma Hynes for Shaw (52).

Ref: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny).