Collier the hero as Laois capture Leinster crown

Laois 1-15 

Westmeath 1-13 

Laois are finally Leinster Champions after falling at the hurdle in the last two years they 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 who ended with ten points and was absolutely excellent throughout the game.

There was hero's all over the field Ellen Conroy and Clodagh Tynan were immense at the back while Grainne Delaney, Collier and Kaylee O'Keefe were superb up front.

After a disastrous start, Laois recovered so 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.

Disaster struck as a puckout went wrong and Ashley Ruane capitalised and hit 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'Keefe.

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 it 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 point to give Laois 1-7 to 1-5 lead at half time after recovering from an awful start.

Laois got off 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'Keefe and Grainne Delaney all adding points to open a five-point gap.

Westmeath captain hit an inspirational score for Westmeath 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 went into added time.

Laois showed unbelievable composure and two frees from Collier saw Laois over the line and were crowned champions.

SCORERS:

Laois: Aimee Collier 0-10 (0-9fs) Grainne Delaney 1-2, Kaylee O'Keefe 0-2, Susie Delaney 0-1.

Westmeath: Megan Dowdall 0-7 (0-5fs), 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, Brigids); 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 for Lacey (55m).

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), Aisling Doyle for Kelly (36) Referee: Shane Foley