St Munna's Win Place In All Ireland Final

Monday, 4 December 2023 14:57

The Westmeath intermediate champions were in impressive form on Saturday.

The midlands and Westmeath will have All Ireland Final representation this year after St Munna's Camogie won their semi-final in convincing fashion over the weekend.

The Leinster Junior B Champions took control of their contest with Croydon early on thanks to early goals and points from Sandra and Sheila McGrath.

Britain's Intermediate champions could only find their range for two points during the game.

The final score in Abbotstown was St Munna's 3-16 Croydon 0-2.

Crossmaglen Rangers will provide St Munna's with their most searching test in the All Ireland final set to throw in on Saturday, December 16th.

St Munna's journey to their first All Ireland Final

The Westmeath side won the Junior A final in Westmeath against Castlepollard in a physical and competitive match up in October. Olivia Glynn, Abbie Reilhill, and Sheila and Sandra McGrath all led by example in the county final. The game was in the balance heading in to stoppage time and McGrath and Reilhill both hit crucial scores to seal a 2-14 to 3-6 win.

Then in the junior B Leinster semi final they came up against St Brides of Louth at the start of last month. Olivia Glynn and Sheila McGrath got early goals in this game, they built a commanding half time lead, and saw out the game 3-14 to 0-5 to book their passage to a Leinster final.

The opposition in that final were Arklow Rocks of Wicklow. Again it was a lightning fast first half that set St Munna's on their way. They were 2-7 to no score up at half time.

They then managed to shut out the Wicklow side in the second period as well to finish 3-11 to 0-0. Sheila McGrath scored 3-4 of that total.

It was a remarkable way to win the first Leinster final in the club's history.

Paddy Moloney's players then ventured in to uncharted territory on Saturday.

An All Ireland Semi-Final against Croydon. And just like they've done in every game since the county final, they found themselves convincing winners.

The panel itself is a typical blend for a successful team - they've had an infusion of young talent from their minor teams, who have complimented a good body of experienced players.

They'll need every bit of those attributes to win the decider now after Crossmaglen Rangers beat Roscommon Gaels by 27 points.

They won their Ulster final by 26 points, they were ran close in the semi-final by Derrylaughnan Kevin Barry's and in the Armagh county final they needed a replay to beat Derrynoose.