Resilient Laois dig deep to be crowned Leinster Intermediate Camogie champions
Laois had lost the last two finals in heartbreaking circumstances
Laois are finally Leinster Intermediate Camogie champions after falling at the final hurdle for the last two years. Rob Jones and Pat Collier’s side finally got over the line to become the champions after a quality game against Westmeath in Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon.
Aimee Collier was the match winner for Laois. The Camross star finished the game with ten points and was absolutely excellent throughout the game.
There were heroes all over the field. Ellen Conroy and Clodagh Tynan were immense at the back, while Grainne Delaney, Collier and Kaylee O'Keeffe were superb up front.
After a disastrous start, Laois recovered well and were definitely deserving champions. Westmeath did draw it level in added time, but Laois showed their class and resilience with Collier landing two frees to crown Laois champions.
Laois got off to the worst possible start as they conceded 1-1 in the opening two minutes. Westmeath star forward Megan Dowdall got the scoring going with a fine effort from play. Disaster struck as a puckout went wrong, and Ashley Ruane capitalised and hit the sliotar past Aedin Lowry in the goal to give Westmeath a four-point lead.
Aimee Collier got Laois settled with a free, but Dowdall responded with a free of her own. Collier hit two more frees as Laois started to get to grips around the middle of the field. Dowdall got the next point of the game before Laois hit two in a row from Susie Delaney and Kaylee O'Keeffe.
Dowdall was keeping Westmeath going with another point, and disaster nearly struck again for Laois as Dowdall was hauled down in the box by Ellen Conroy, and a penalty was awarded. Dowdall took it but missed the target by blasting it wide, and Laois were off the hook. Caoimhe McCrossan got the next score of the half for Westmeath.
Laois then finished the half the strongest and hit 1-2 without reply to turn the game on its head. Grainne Delaney fired in a goal to draw the teams level 1-5 to 1-5 as the game was approaching half-time. Delaney and the impressive Collier hit the next two points to give Laois a 1-7 to 1-5 lead at half-time.
Laois started the second half with a score from Collier, but Dowdall kept Westmeath alive with her scoring capabilities. Laois then landed three in a row with Collier, Kaylee O'Keeffe and Grainne Delaney all adding points to open a five-point gap.
Westmeath's captain Aoife O’Malley hit an inspirational score, which sparked a charge from her team. Collier landed a crucial free, but Westmeath weren't going away and hit three in a row from Dowdall, Julie McLoughlin and Shelia McGrath.
Collier landed an important free to push the gap out to three, but Westmeath came storming back to draw it level with points from Ashley Ruane, Dowdall and McGrath to draw it level as the game headed into added time.
Laois showed unbelievable composure, and two frees from Collier saw Laois over the line to finally get their hands on the Leinster title.
FULL TIME
Laois 1-15
Westmeath 1-13
SCORERS - Laois: Aimee Collier 0-10 (0-9 frees), Grainne Delaney 1-2, Kaylee O'Keefe 0-2, Susie Delaney 0-1. Westmeath: Megan Dowdall 0-7 (0-5 frees), Ashley Ruane 1-1, Shelia McGrath 0-2, Caoimhe McCrossan, Aoife O’Malley and Julie McLoughlin 0-1 each
LAOIS: Aedin Lowry (Camross); Laura Finlay (St Brigid’s), Ellen Conroy (O’Moore’s), Sarah Creagh (St Brigid’s); Aoife Finlay (St Brigid’s), Clodagh Tynan (St Brigid’s), Rachel Deegan (The Harps); Amy Lacey (The Harps), Lucy Conroy (O’Moore’s); Kaylee O’Keeffe (St Lazarian’s), Grainne Delaney (Camross), Jade Bergin (The Harps); Kirsten Keenan (Camross), Aimee Collier (Camross), Susie Delaney (Boherlahan-Dualla). Subs: Eimear Hassett (St Brigid’s) for Lacey (55 mins)
WESTMEATH: Fiona Keating; Roisin Scally, Dearbhail McLoughlin, Emily McCabe; Maria Kelly, Julie McLoughlin, Laura Doherty; Aoifa O’Mally, Erin Core; Ella Reilly, Caoimhe McCrossan, Amelia Shaw; Sheila McGrath, Ashley Ruane, Megan Dowdall. Subs: Meadbh McLoughlin for Newman (32 mins), Aisling Doyle for Kelly (36 mins)
REFEREE: Shane Foley