St. Loman's historic senior championship break-through provided the highlight of the ladies football year. A new name was inscribed on the Westmeath senior ladies football trophy when St. Loman's defeated Milltown by 4-8 to 4-2 in an exciting final at Pairc Chiarain on August 2 last. And on the same day, Moate All-Whites and Kilbeggan Shamrocks were crowned intermediate and junior champions following their respective victories over Clann Gaels and Tyrrellspass. After two decades of Rochfortbridge dominance, the face of the senior football championship has changed utterly in recent times. Garrycastle made the breakthrough in 2003 and last year it was the turn of St. Loman's, who have now reaped junior, intermediate and senior honours in successive years. With no disrespect to the 'Bridge who for many years were regarded as the top club side in Leinster, the success of Garrycastle and St. Loman's can only be good for the game in Westmeath. Both clubs have shown others the way and followers of ladies football will now hope to see more teams challenging for senior success in the years ahead. With Milltown providing the opposition for St. Loman's, last year's decider was certainly a novel affair. Despite having to contend with heavy rain as well as thunder and lightning in the first half, the Mullingar side played some great football to lead by 2-8 to 0-1 at the interval. However, Milltown showed tremendous character in the second half to eat into the Loman's lead. But they left themselves with too much to do and it was Joe Maleady's talented St. Loman's team who were celebrating at the final whistle. Loman's started in whirlwind fashion with early points from Stephanie Kelly, Amy Matthews and Leona Archibald being followed by a goal from the outstanding Matthews. The centre forward continued her tour de force when she slotted home a penalty and followed up with her second point moments later. The Mullingar girls had increased their lead to 2-6 to 0-0 when Katie Somers finally got Milltown off the mark with a point in the 25th minute. But there was no respite for the Rathconrath side as Stephanie Kelly added two further points to give Loman's a huge advantage at the break. Although Milltown opened the second half scoring through Anne-Marie Creagh, the game looked over as a contest when Kelly notched a third St. Loman's goal eight minutes into the half. But Milltown refused to throw in the towel and their perseverance was rewarded when Laura Halligan - who was unable to start due to a broken finger - scored two goals in as many minutes to revive their challenge. A third goal from Katie Somers had reduced the deficit to six points before Matthews stopped the rot for Loman's when scoring her third goal from a close-in free. Faced with a nine-point deficit, there appeared to be no way back for Milltown but, after Halligan had a penalty brilliantly saved by Aisling Layde, the same player completed her hat-trick to leave it a six-point game once again. But that was as close as they came as St. Loman's held on for a historic victory. In the intermediate final, Moate All-Whites made amends for their defeat to Loman's in 2003 when overcoming Clann Gaels by 3-8 to 1-7. While not at their best (they registered a huge amount of wides), the south county outfit were always in control and never looked like losing. The All-Whites got off to a great start when Darina Keenan scored an early goal, but Clann Gaels hit back with points from Sarah Tormey, Emma Nally and Aishling Keary. In the 12th minute, Patrice Keogh grabbed a second goal for the All-Whites and, although Sarah Tormey replied with two points late in the half, Moate took a 2-4 to 0-7 lead into the break. Moate could have put the result beyond doubt early in the second half, but seven wides in the first 12 minutes left the door open for Clann Gaels, who are a combination of Bunbrosna and St. Fintan's/Multyfarnham. However, a superb goal from Deirdre Crossan, followed by points from Stacy Holloway and Darina Keenan, put Moate firmly in the driving seat and not even the concession of a late Miriam Kearney goal could spoil their celebrations. A virtuoso performance by full forward Fiona Claffey inspired Kilbeggan Shamrocks to a 5-8 to 2-1 victory over neighbours Tyrrellspass in the junior decider. Kilbeggan have made great strides in recent years and this was perhaps the sweetest victory yet for them and their manager Bobby Kelly. The game was slow to come to life and after 25 minutes, the sides had managed just two points between them. But a stunning finish to the half by Kilbeggan saw them lead by 2-4 to 0-1 at half-time. A Susan Kiernan goal made it 1-3 to 0-1 before Claffey added 1-1 in stoppage-time to put further daylight between the teams. Kilbeggan continued their onslaught after the break when an Avril Seery goal was sandwiched between points from Kiernan and Claffey. Tyrrellspass responded positively with Joanne Carroll finding the net from a free. But two rapid-fire goals from 'player of the match' Claffey settled the issue. When substitute Niamh Durkan added another free 13 minutes into the half, Kilbeggan held an unassailable 5-7 to 1-1 lead. To their credit, Tyrrellspass battled to the end and scored a second goal through Ciara Glennon. However, it was Kilbeggan who had the final say when Eimear Fox completed the scoring. The history-making St. Loman's team was: Aisling Layde; Elaine Whitelaw, Aoife Davitt, Elaine Galvin; Aileen Martin, Andrea Martin, Antoinette Savage; Theresa Allen, Rhona Murtagh; Carol McKinley (captain), Amy Matthews, Leona Archibald; Laura Newman, Stephanie Kelly, Janine Cosgrove. Other panel members were: Katie Heslin, Emma Martin, Claire Gorman, Ailish Cunnane, Therese Mimnagh, Michelle Maleady, Therese Russell, Susan Brady, Carla McManus, Sarah McManus and Ailbhe O'Reilly. The victorious Moate All-Whites team was: Aine Cunningham; Sandra Mullen, Michelle Malone, Jillian Cassells; Caitriona Gavin, Deirdre Crossan, Carol Butler; Stacy Holloway, Aoife McCormack; Edel O'Connor, Darina Keenan, Patrice Keogh (captain); Aisling Boland, Eileen Cunningham, Triona Geoghegan. Other panellists: Sinead Egan, Maura Shorthall, Anne Healy, Christine McNeill and Noel Keenan. The Kilbeggan Shamrocks team which captured the junior title was: Sarah Coffey; Sharon Heevey, Deirdre Robbins, Claire Slevin; Sabrina Linnane, Joanne McCormack, Sandra Linnane; Eimear Fox, Triona Durkan; Susan Kiernan, Janette Dalton (captain), Avril Seery; Edel McCormack, Fiona Claffey, Marie Conroy. Other panel members: Anne-Marie Kelly, Nicola McDaniel, Laura Hannon, Colleen Davey, Niamh Durkan, Jennifer Heevery and Samantha Craig. Garrycastle girls savour All-Ireland glory again Having created history by winning the All-Ireland Feile na nOg Division 3 title in 2003, the Garrycastle girls went one better last July when they were crowned Division 2 champions at the Feile na nOg finals in Co. Tyrone. In their opening group match, Garrycastle defeated their host club, Ardboe, by 4-3 to 1-0. Donaghmore, also from Tyrone, were next to fall to the Westmeath champions (4-6 to 0-1) before Garrycastle secured their passage to the semi-final with a 3-1 to 1-3 victory over Ballyhogue from Wexford. The semi-final pitted Garrycastle against Leixlip of Kildare. This was arguably the toughest and most dramatic game of Garrycastle's campaign. In fact, it took a last-minute goal from Georgina Fagan to turn a two-point deficit into a one-point win, 3-4 to 2-6. The final against The Banner from Clare was a low-scoring affair, with the windy conditions making life difficult for both set of players. Garrycastle led by 0-4 to 0-1 at the interval and, despite failing to register a score in the second half, they held on for a 0-4 to 0-3 victory. "Every player played her part from one to 15, as did every sub that came on. It would be unfair to pick out anyone as it was very much a team effort," said an elated Garrycastle manager, Gerry Walker. "I would just like to compliment the parents and supporters who travelled in their numbers to support the girls. I would also like to extend a sincere thanks to Ardboe GAA who were excellent hosts and great ambassadors for the game," the former Westmeath star added. Tweet

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