Westmeath celebrated a rare All-Ireland camogie success in 2006, while on the domestic front, St. Munna's were crowned senior champions for an 18th time following their victory over Delvin in the final. Camogie in Westmeath received a major boost last September when the Lake County captured the All-Ireland junior 12-a-side title in Cooley, Co. Louth. Despite being without the services of players from St. Munna's and Delvin who were on county final duty 24 hours later, Westmeath emerged as worthy winners of the five-team championship which was played over one day in a blitz-style format. Ironically, the Cooley Mountains was also the scene of star player Mary Henry's great victory in the M Donnelly Poc Fada competition a few weeks earlier. The vastly experienced Lough Lene Gaels attacker played a key role in her county's success, and was named as the Player of the Championship. Westmeath's hopes suffered an early setback when they were narrowly beaten by Monaghan in their first game of the round-robin series. However, they bounced back to win their matches against Mayo, Donegal and Louth to secure a top-two finish, and therefore, a place in the final against their first round conquerors. The Lake County girls made a dream start to the decider when Mary Henry blasted an early goal. Monaghan replied with a similar score before Henry pointed to give Westmeath a 1-1 to 1-0 lead at the interval. Henry extended Westmeath's advantage, only for Monaghan to level again with two well taken points. But the maroons went four points clear after Pamela Greville scored their second goal and Henry added a point. The Farney County closed the gap once again with two quick points, but then Henry pounced for her second goal to effectively end the Monaghan challenge. Elaine Finn tagged on an insurance point and Westmeath were All-Ireland champions on a 3-5 to 1-4 scoreline. Afterwards, National Camogie president Liz Howard presented the Chorn Mhaire Ni Chinneide Cup to Westmeath captain Elizabeth Shaw. The All-Ireland win brought the curtain down on what had been a mixed year for the Westmeath camogie team up until then. After chalking up wins over Cavan and Tyrone, the Lake County girls were denied a place in the National League Division 3 final following a 1-6 to 1-7 defeat to Roscommon. In the Leinster junior championship, Westmeath's interests were ended by neighbours Meath who ran out winners by 5-9 to 1-9. Poignantly, it was Patricia Smyth's last game for the county. On August 9, the popular 21-year-old from Delvin died in a tragic road accident while returning home from work in Dublin. Patricia was one of the county's most talented camogie and ladies football players, having excelled in the colours of Delvin, Rochfortbridge and, of course, Westmeath. At club level, St. Munna's maintained their vice-like grip on the senior championship crown when they overcame Delvin in the final at Loughegar by 2-8 to 1-4. It was St. Munna's fifth title win on the trot and their 18th in all. However, their latest success was preceded by a major controversy which saw 2005 finalists Cullion disqualified over a registration row, and this resulted in Delvin qualifying for the final. In a lively first half, St. Munna's surged ahead with four points in the opening six minutes per Dinah Loughlin (two), Annette Heffernan and Aileen Lawlor. Delvin eventually settled to their task and three converted frees by Karen Clune had reduced the deficit to the minimum by the quarter-hour mark. However, a 20th minute goal from Annette Heffernan restored St. Munna's four-point lead. Delvin responded with a goal of their own four minutes later when Denise McGrath latched onto Carmel Harris' centre before coolly finishing to the net. With the margin down to the minimum again, Delvin were expected to build on their momentum. But instead St. Munna's finished the half with a point from Heffernan. Seamus Ennis' Delvin side battled valiantly in the second half, but St. Munna's demonstrated their wealth of experience and took command of the game. Rhona Murtagh finished off one of here many probing runs with a point two minutes after the restart, and 90 seconds later, Annette Heffernan scored a fortuitous goal from a free on the right hand side. When Heffernan tagged on another free, the Taughmon/Turin-based outfit were seven points clear and coasting. Substitute Sandra McGrath stretched their lead before Karen Clune registered the Valley girls' only score of the second half. By then, however, Mick Heffernan's charges were assured of the five-in-a-row. Ominously for their rivals, St. Munna's blooded a number of talented young players last year and all the signs are that they will continue to be the team to beat for some time to come. After giving Castletown-Geoghegan a walkover in the 2005 junior final, Crookedwood bounced back in the best possible manner by overcoming Drumraney by 3-3 to 2-1 in last year's decider. When the clubs met in the 2003 final Drumraney were emphatic winners, but the 'Wood learned greatly from that loss, and inspired by their experienced midfielder Antoinette Savage, exacted revenge with a deserved victory. The south Westmeath club, who were hoping to celebrate their Silver Jubilee year with a win that would have guaranteed them senior status for 2007, got off to a great start when Sandra Greene goaled. A second goal from Ciara McCormack extended their lead before Antoinette Savage's free eventually opened the 'Wood's account. Trailing by 0-1 to 2-0 at the break, Crookedwood had it all to do in the second half but goals from Caitriona Brennan and Elaine Shaw had them back on level terms by the end of the third quarter. Savage then edged them in front with a superb point before a third goal from Elaine O'Reilly and another Savage point completed the comeback. Five clubs contested the 7-a-side senior 'B' championship which was won by Raharney. The Deelsiders beat Delvin in the final, with Lough Lene Gaels, Brownstown and Clonkill the other teams to take part. Raharney also claimed the minor title with a 5-1 to 3-1 victory over Delvin in the final. Lough Lene Gaels won four of the underage titles on offer, and also triumphed in the Feile na nGael final. The Gaels were 4-5 to 1-2 winners over Brownstown in the under 16 final. They also claimed the under 14 'B' and under 12 'A' crowns, defeating St. Munna's and Crookedwood respectively. In the under 10 'A' final, they accounted for Drumraney by 4-0 to 2-0 Brownstown defeated Delvin by 5-5 to 0-3 to land the under 14 'A' title, Castletown-Geoghegan won their first ever underage title when beating St. Oliver Plunkett's 3-0 to 0-0 in the under 12 'B' decider, while Raharney registered a 4-0 to 1-0 win over Brownstown in the under 10 'B' final. The Westmeath panel which won the All-Ireland junior camogie 12-a-side title was: Gemma Egan, Alma Hayden, Sheila Carroll, Mary Henry (2-4), Pamela Greville (1-0), Sandra Greville, Helen Weir, Elaine Finn (0-1), Karen Murtagh, Criosa O'Neill, Elizabeth Shaw, Tracy Nea and Jacinta Goonery. The St. Munna's team that completed a five-in-a-row of senior championship wins was: Denise Egan; Deirdre McEnerney, Yvette Cully (captain), Rachel Scally; Bridget Leavy, Kate Glynn, Sinead McGrath; Mary Glynn, Lorraine Leavy; Lorraine Scanlon, Dinah Loughlin, Rhona Murtagh; Aileen Lawlor, Annette Heffernan, Debbie Corcoran. Subs used: Sandra McGrath, Michelle Scanlon, Debbie Leech, Rachel Heffernan and Mary Heffernan-Glynn. The Crookedwood junior championship winning team was: Avril Orme; Stephanie Muldoon, Lorraine Boyhan, Christine O'Neill; Sinead McNicholas, Frances Doolin, Fiona Boyhan; Antoinette Savage, Elaine O'Reilly; Elaine Shaw, Caitriona Brennan, Lisa McNicholas; Nicola Doolin, Emer Duffy, Laura McNicholas. Sub used: Orla Boyhan. Tweet

Most Read Stories