Navan O’Mahony’s 3-10
Castlepollard 3-09
Navan O’Mahonys travelled to Westmeath today to represent Meath in the quarter final of the Leinster Junior Camogie club championship when they took on Castlepollard on their home ground.
A tough battle to the end in difficult conditions saw O’Mahonys come out on top by the narrowest of margins. Navan O’Mahony’s started strong with Lauren Woods opening the scoring with a point within the first minute and this was shortly followed by Izzy Kinsella splitting the posts.
Castlepollard put the pressure on and were awarded a free which was duly converted. Navan O’Mahonys conceded another two frees in close succession towards the end of the first quarter. Both were converted nudging them ahead by one. A brace by Isabel O’Connor put the Hoops in front again before she blasted to the net leaving it 1. 04 to 0.03 at around the 20 minute mark.
Castlepollard responded with a point from play and within a minute found the net to equalise the game. The last 10 minutes of the first half put the Navan defence under a lot of pressure and the home side pointed again from a free before they scored their second goal of the half. A free to O’Mahony’s converted by Lizzie Brennan brought it back to a one score game but on the 30 minute mark Castlepollard broke through again and claimed their third goal of the game leaving the score 3.05 to 1.05 in favour of the hosts.
The conditions worsened with heavy rainfall making it difficult for both sides. There was a slow start to the second half before Castlepollard added to their tally with another point. A quick reply from Laoise Mc Dermott, who had a player-of-the-match performance, cancelled that out and a probing run from O’Connor which finished with a goal left it back to a one score game. Jorja Keogh opened her tab with a point from play before O’Connor added another. A converted free to Castlepollard followed by a point from play kept the margins in their favour.
Navan O’Mahonys kept the pressure on and a 45 taken by Keogh found its way to the net bringing the game to a draw. Tensions were high on and off the pitch when Navan O Mahony’s were awarded a free which was duly converted by McDermott. Lily Dwyer followed with a point giving the hoops a two point advantage. Neither side gave up and hard battles were had in every position on the pitch. With the clock at full time Castlepollard who were on the attack were awarded a free in front of goal which they converted leaving it a one point game again which was the last score of the game.
There were strong performances in every position on the pitch from Navan OMahonys and every player togged out today played a significant part in getting this one over the line. The team look forward to a Leister semi final at home next weekend
Mags Tomkins, Megan Kinsella, Saoirse O Regan, Alannah Brady, Caoimhe Mc Kenna Laoise Mc Dermott (0.2) Tara Fay, Roisin Tobin, Becky Coen, Izzy Kinsella (0.1) Isabel O Connor( 2.3) Jorja Keogh (1.1 (1 ‘45) Annie Hogan , Lauren Woods (0.1) Lizzie Brennan (0.1 (f)
Subs Doireann Mellett for Mc Kenna , Amanda Fenney for Kinsella M, Cara Ratty for Brennan, Aoibhin Kielty for Annie Hogan , Lily Dwyer for Tobin ,Lauren Patterson for Coen
