Clough/Ballacolla suffer Leinster final heartbreak after Crookedwood comeback

Clough/Ballacolla’s hopes of adding a Leinster Junior ‘A’ Camogie Championship title to their Laois crown were dashed on Sunday afternoon as Westmeath champions Crookedwood staged a second half comeback to claim a two-point victory in Castletown Geoghegan.

It was the latest chapter in a busy few weeks for Clough/Ballacolla, who have been on a week-on-week campaign since overcoming St Brigid’s in the Laois final. They subsequently defeated Meath champions Dunderry in the quarter-final before booking their place in the provincial decider with a victory over Ballinamere/Durrow last weekend.

Meadbh McLoughlin pointed the opening score of the game. Clough/Ballacolla took a while to settle into their surroundings, with their opening score not arriving until the 11th minute when Chloe Boyhan opened their account.

Boyhan added two further points, both from frees as Clough/Ballacolla began to find their feet. Crookedwood responded with Aisling Boyhan converting two frees to bring the sides level at the 20-minute mark. Clough/Ballacolla finished the half strongly, however, with Chloe Boyhan continuing to cause problems from placed balls. She added another free before being picked out by Sarah Delaney with a goal opportunity presenting itself, but Boyhan opted for a point.

A further score from a 45, followed by another placed ball, saw Boyhan bring her first-half tally to seven points and give Clough/Ballacolla a 0-7 to 0-3 advantage at the interval.

Crookedwood needed a response after the restart and got exactly that when Muireann Scally's free bounced awkwardly in the square before finding its way into the Clough/Ballacolla net.

Molly Cassin responded with a point for the Laois champions, but Crookedwood were beginning to build momentum. Aisling Boyhan converted a 45 before adding another free, with the Westmeath side continuing to chip away at the deficit. Julie McLoughlin then edged Crookedwood in front for the first time since the opening score, turning the game on its head.

Aisling Boyhan added another point from a 45 before Delaney registered a much-needed score for Clough/Ballacolla. However, Crookedwood continued to find their range, with Boyhan adding two more frees to extend their advantage.

Clough/Ballacolla refused to surrender, and Chloe Boyhan converted another free to keep the contest alive. The Laois champions went searching for a decisive goal in the closing stages, but Crookedwood stood firm to deny them a route back into the contest.

Despite a spirited effort and a strong first-half display, Clough/Ballacolla ultimately came up short, losing out by two points.

FINAL SCORE

Crookedwood 1-9

Clough/Ballacolla 0-10

SCORERS — Crookedwood: Aisling Boyhan 0-7 (0-5 frees, 0-2 45’), Muireann Scally 1-0 (free), Meadbh McLoughlin and Julie McLoughlin 0-1 each. Clough/Ballacolla: Chloe Boyhan 0-8 (0-5fs, 0-1 45’), Molly Cassin and Sarah Delaney 0-1 each.

CLOUGH/BALLACOLLA: Tara Delaney; Laura Dooley Kirwan, Ellen Hennessy, Aoife Bergin; Aine Duggan, Marian Ferns, Eimear McEvoy; Maeve Hennessy, Molly Cassin; Chloe Boyhan, Paige Hyland, Fiona O’Grady; Jade Carroll, Sarah Bergin, Sarah Delaney. Subs: Helen Coonan for Carroll (44 mins).

CROOKEDWOOD: Shonagh Savage; Claire Loughrey, Katie Penrose, Ava Maleady; Aine Moore, Dearbhail McLoughlin, Donna Weir; Carolann Downes, Meadbh McLoughlin; Grace Downes, Julie McLoughlin, Muireann Scally; Aisling Boyhan, Anya Boyle, Roisin Killian. Subs: Caoimhne O’Mahoney for Boyle (45 mins).

Referee: Nadine Murphy (Dublin)