St. Munna's dominance of the Westmeath senior camogie scene was finally ended in 2007 when Raharney came in from the cold to claim their first senior championship in 22 years. It was also a successful year for Cullion who captured the junior crown, while Lough Lene Gaels had much to be pleased about after winning no fewer than six championships at various levels. A wind of change swept through the Westmeath camogie scene in 2007 with Raharney breaking St. Munna's stranglehold on the senior championship to become champions for the first time since 1985. St. Munna's had started out as favourites to claim their 19th senior crown and their sixth in succession. But their comprehensive defeat to Raharney at the semi-final stage denied them a place in the final for the first time in 23 years, and it was the Deelsiders who went on to lift the silverware following a 2-11 to 1-7 victory over Cullion in the county decider at Cusack Park on September 7. There was some consolation for Cullion when they beat Castletown-Geoghegan a fortnight later to land the junior title. It was also a year to remember for Lough Lene Gaels who captured no fewer than six titles, including the 7-a-side senior 'B' championship. The breakdown of championship winners was as follows: Lough Lene Gaels 6, Raharney and Brownstown 2 each, St. Munna's, Castletown-Geoghegan, Cullion, Drumraney and Clonkill 1 each. Outside Westmeath, Lough Lene Gaels won the Shield competition of the Clane 7-a-side tournament, beating St. Oliver Plunkett's of Dublin by 2-5 to 0-3 in the final last September. The result of the year was undoubtedly Raharney's defeat of St. Munna's in the senior championship semi-final. The Deelsiders signalled their intentions by scoring 1-2 in the opening three minutes with Pamela Greville's well-taken goal being sandwiched between points from the same player and Gemma Briody. The holders replied with points from Annette Heffernan, Sandra McGrath and Catherine Glynn, but still trailed by 0-5 to 1-5 at half-time. Annette Heffernan reduced the deficit to two points early in the second half, but Greville immediately replied with her second goal before substitute Aisling Doyle sealed a 3-7 to 0-8 win for Raharney with their third major. Cullion needed a replay to see off the challenge of Lough Lene Gaels in the other semi-final. After drawing 0-5 each on August 26, Cullion won the replay by 3-5 to 1-8. Cullion led by 2-2 to 0-5 at half-time and a third goal from the youthful Janine Cosgrove early in the second half was a real killer blow as far as the Gaels' hopes of victory were concerned. With St. Munna's out of the equation, the final at Cusack Park on September 7 was a novel affair. Despite it being their first appearance in a final in seven years, Raharney were installed as favourites to overcome a Cullion team keen to make amends for their 2005 final loss to St. Munna's and the registration row that led to their disqualification in 2006. The sides were level on 0-2 each before Elaine Finn and Gemma Briody combined to set up Amy Dunne for the opening goal for Raharney. But almost immediately, Cullion replied with a goal of their own from Janine Cosgrove to tie up the scoring once again. The sides remained on level terms until the 19th minute when Gemma bagged the Deelsiders' second major. Cullion hit back with points from Bernie Corroon and Carol McKinley, but efforts from Fiona Leavy and Elaine Finn had Raharney in front by 2-5 to 1-6 at half-time. The blue and whites resumed with three unanswered points from Karina Lynch, Pamela Greville and Aisling Doyle to put clear daylight between the teams for the first time. Cullion were now struggling to stay in contention, although an Andrea Martin free kept their hopes alive. However, they weren't to score again as Raharney finished with points from Greville and Leavy to end their long wait. There were tremendous scenes afterwards when Raharney's inspirational captain Pamela Greville raised the senior cup to the delight of the blue and white clad supporters. Cullion put that disappointment behind them when they returned to Cusack Park on September 21 to defeat Castletown-Geoghegan by 4-4 to 2-1 and claim their first junior title in six years. Niamh Kiernan gave the maroon and whites a dream start when she goaled in one of their first attacks and the corner forward added another goal late in the half to give Cullion a 2-3 to 0-0 lead at the interval. Castletown-Geoghegan started the second half in positive fashion with a Sandra Gavigan goal being followed by a point from Mairead McCormack. Sarah McManus then scored Cullion's third goal, only for Jacqui Jackson to reply with a similar score for Castletown. But Cullion weren't to be denied and a late strike from Stephanie Kelly put the seal on a comfortable win. Eight teams entered the senior 'B' championship which was played on a 7-a-side basis over one day (November 3) at Robinstown. Lough Lene Gaels and Raharney qualified from Division 1 and they were joined by Division 2 winners and runners-up St. Munna's and Cullion in the semi-finals. In the first semi-final, the Gaels exacted revenge on Cullion for their senior championship semi-final loss, and St. Munna's did likewise against Raharney in the second penultimate clash. The final was an exciting affair with a late goal from Michelle Murtagh giving the Gaels a dramatic 3-3 to 2-5 victory. The Collinstown club enjoyed a magnificent year at underage level, winning the minor, under 16, under 12 and under 10 championships as well as the Feile na nGael. In the minor final at Crookedwood, they edged out Raharney by 3-6 to 2-8, while goals from Catriona Murtagh (two), Niamh Lynch and Michelle Murtagh helped them to a 4-6 to 0-0 victory over the Deelsiders in the under 16 decider. The Gaels retained their under 12 championship crown with a 5-4 to 1-0 win over Brownstown, with corner forward Aoife Gallagher accounting for 3-1 of their tally. In the under 10 final, the purple and golds ran out 4-0 to 2-1 winners over Raharney after the sides had been level on 1-0 each at half-time. Lough Lene Gaels' other success came in the under 14 Feile na nGael competition. They faced Brownstown in the final at Ringtown on May 12 and emerged victors by 2-5 to 1-3. Brownstown atoned for that disappointment when they defeated Crookedwood by 4-1 to 1-1 at Shandonagh on June 25 to land the under 14 title - the one underage championship that eluded Lough Lene Gaels in 2007. St. Munna's were crowned under 14 'B' champions following their 1-1 to 0-1 victory over Castletown-Geoghegan in the curtain-raiser. There was also disappointment for St. Munna's when they lost the under 12 'B' final to Raharney by 2-0 to 5-1. In the under 12 'C' decider, Clonkill got the better of Castletown-Geoghegan by 1-1 to 0-1. Castletown-Geoghegan, Drumraney and Brownstown all celebrated successes at under 10 level. Goals from Rebecca Ennis (two), Molly McDonagh, Chloe Ruane, Emma Reid and Aoife Corcoran gave Castletown a 6-0 to 0-0 win over Delvin 'B' in the 'B' final. A brace of goals from Leanne Slevin proved decisive in Drumraney's 4-0 to 3-0 defeat of St. Oliver Plunkett's in the 'C' final, while two goals from Alana Cannon and another from Grainne O'Brine saw Brownstown overcome neighbours Delvin 'A' by 3-0 to 0-0 in the 'D' decider at Collinstown. The Raharney team which won the senior championship after a 22-year gap: Sandra Greville; Ciara Jordan, Nicola Morley, Oliver Weir; Jacinta Goonery, Liz Shaw, Carol Finch; Helen Weir, Elaine Finn; Fiona Leavy, Karina Lynch, Lisa Burke; Amy Dunne, Gemma Briody, Pamela Greville. Subs used: Andreanna Doyle, Aisling Doyle and Sarah Weir. Cullion's junior championship winning team was: Katie Layde; Aoife Martin, Eileen Murphy, Michelle McGarry; Elaine Gibson, Emma Martin, Dearbhla O'Reilly; Deirdre O'Donovan, Elaine Faughnan; Laura Newman, Janine Cosgrove, Roisin Brennan; Bernie Corroon, Stephanie Kelly, Niamh Kiernan. Subs: Sarah McManus, Ruth Buckley, Maria Buckley, Mary Buckley, Claire McManus, Anne-Marie Farrelly. Lough Lene Gaels' senior 'B' (7-a-side) championship winning squad was: Celeste Dermody, Veronica Gavigan, Gemma Egan, Sheila Carroll, Sinead Sheridan, Aisling Conaty, Orla Doolin, Michelle Murtagh, Aoife Higgins and Sinead Lynch. Tweet

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