Roscommon finish strong to secure Connacht title
Anna Kelly, Holly Keena, Isla Walshe and Lauren Keena were all smiles after Roscommon were crowned Connacht U-16B champions.
They were made to work all the way but in the end Roscommon’s U-16 LGFA team did enough to secure the Connemara Blue Connacht U-16B championship.
They were made to fight all the way despite leading 1-3 to 0-3 at the end of the first half, having played against the wind. Anna Kelly’s sixth minute goal proved the separating score as Sligo were held scoreless from play in the opening half with three Ava Gallagher frees keeping them interested.
But a dogged Sligo side battled to lead 0-7 to 1-3 approaching the end of the third quarter with Gallagher bagging two points during that period.
However, Roscommon dug deep as goals from Isabella Downey and Anna Kelly helped them on their way. Even though an Aoibhin Doherty major left Sligo just 3-4 to 1-8 behind, Roscommon’s impressive fitness shone through as Kelly (two), Clodagh Finneran and Lauren Keena pointed to secure another provincial title for the county.
This was a sweet win for Roscommon after coming up just short in last year’s Connacht U16A final while also coming out the wrong side of the result in the Connacht U-14A final in 2024.
Roscommon will line out in the All Ireland semi final on Thursday, June 25th where they face an Armagh side aiming to secure three All Ireland U-16B titles in a row.
*Full report and reaction in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald*
