Westport girls celebrate historic Connacht crown
Ava Lambert and Lisa Scahill receive the Rose Nixon Cup following Westport's victory over Carnmore of Galway.
When joint-captains Ava Lambert and Lisa Scahill raised the Rose Nixon Cup, to rapturous applause from family and supporters, it was a mark that something special had just unfolded in the Air Dome at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan. An impressive Westport outfit produced an exhibition of camogie throughout the sixty minutes, to be crowned Connacht junior club champions in an historic first for the club.
If ever there was a complete performance, this was it. A young team who were disciplined, extremely well organised and focused, were a step ahead of their Carnmore opponents throughout. From the moment the sliothar was thrown in, Westport set about dismantling the opposition in what was to prove a powerful performance from start to finish.
The opening quarter saw the teams trade scores, with Westport just edging it by a single point thanks to scores from player of the match Fionnula McLaughlin, Meabh Tunney and Lisa Scahill. In the 16th minute however, a well-taken goal from Ava Lambert seemed to spark a reaction from the Carnmore girls. The revival proved somewhat shortlived though, and a further goal and two points from lively midfielder Fionnuala McLaughlin added further to the first-half supremacy of the girls in blue.
At the interval, Westport led by 2-5 to 0-6, and with just two of Carnmore’s scores coming from play it was obvious a diligent Westport defensive unit were to the fore. Goalkeeper Ruth Crowley was ably assisted by a tight and tenacious full-back line comprised of Ruby Lambert, Katlyn McGreal and Heidi O’Malley. The deployment of Eimear Geraghty as sweeper paid dividends, in offering support to a half-back line who were keen to push up on their opposition at every available opportunity.
The dream start of the first-half was mirrored by another blistering start to the second. An impressive run from midfielder Emily Kelly found Lisa Scahill who raised another green flag, less than a minute after the throw-in. Sustained pressure from Kate Scahill, Molly Tunney and Niamh Twohig resulted in a series of turnovers in the Carnmore defence, while wing-backs Megan O’Malley and Annie McGreevy were winning their individual battles in impressive fashion.
A Carnmore goal signalled a potential comeback, however, the hopes of the Galway girls were shortlived, with Westport in no mood to surrender. The introduction of substitutes Lisa Hastings, Christina McEvilly and Mary Kate McHale were timed to perfection, with all three bringing renewed energy when it was required.
In the final quarter, a collection of scores from Fionnuala McLaughlin, Lisa Scahill, Ava Lambert, Meabh Tunney, Emily Kelly and Kate Scahill saw Westport finish the game out in style, resulting in an emphatic victory.
There is no doubt it was this young Westport side’s skill level, work-rate and honest endeavour which led to an historic victory.
Westport: Ruth Crowley; Ruby Lambert, Katlyn McGreal, Heidi O’Malley; Annie McGreevy, Meabh Tunney (0-4, 2 ’45, 2f), Megan O’Malley; Ava Lambert (1-2), Emily Kelly (0-2); Molly Tunney, Fionnuala McLaughlin (1-5), Kate Scahill (0-1); Niamh Twohig, Lisa Scahill (1-3, 0-1f), Eimear Geraghty. Subs used: Christina McEvilly, Lisa Hastings, Mary Kate McHale. Panel members: R Hastings, O Molloy, O Hastings, D Rooney, K Harmon, M Farrell. Management: Sinead Muldoon, Rosemary Smith, Anne Kelly, Brendan Tunney.
