Roscommon come unstuck in league decider
EYES ON THE PRIZE: Armagh's Eimear Smyth and Roscomon's Aideen O'Brien battle for possession. Picture: INPHO/Dan Clohessy
Roscommon’s quest for league glory came unstuck as despite a gutsy fightback,Armagh proved too slick in the Centra Camogie Division 3A league final.
Ultimately, Armagh did the heavy lifting in the first half as they led 1-10 to 0-4 at half time having played with a gale in the opening period.
Even though Roscommon fought back as Rachel Fitzmaurice’s third quarter goal helped her side cut their arrears to seven points, ultimately Armagh possessed the greater spread of threats to inflict a second successive league final defeat on Roscommon, who lost out to Laois in last year’s decider.
With Armagh enjoying a gale early doors, Roscommon knew they needed to keep things tight at the back. However, they were dealt an early blow as Sinead Quinn netted in the fifth minute to give Armagh the perfect start.
Quinn had 1-3 bagged in the first 10 minutes as she punished Roscommon’s indiscretions. Kaitlin Egan got Roscommon off the mark but even though she added another while Orla Connolly bagged two frees, Armagh saw six different players find the target in the opening period as late scores from Rachel Trainor (free) and Eimear Smyth saw PJ O’Mullan’s side lead by nine points at the interval.
Armagh pushed that gap out to double digits with early scores from Quinn and Katie Convie but Roscommon fought back.
After half time sub Shauna Fallon saw her shot drop short, Ciarrai Devlin’s batted clearance only found Rachel Fitzmaurice, who flicked to the net. An Orla Connolly free left Roscommon just 1-12 to 1-5 behind.
The game’s crucial moment came in the 40th minute as Fitzmaurice latched on the Sally Bolger’s sideline cut but Devlin atoned for her earlier error with a point blank stop. That scare spurred Armagh into action as Eimear McGeary arrowed over a settling score.
Despite Fitzmaurice and Connolly (two) firing over late on, Armagh held firm to ensure Roscommon’s search for a first ever league title goes on.
*Full report and reaction in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald*
