Roscommon let winning hand slip

Cavan 4-10 

Roscommon 4-6

Roscommon fell to their second successive defeat in the Glen Dimplex All Ireland Premier Junior Camogie Championship as a worrying second half display saw them come up short.

The defeat isn’t disastrous as Roscommon had already secured an All Ireland semi final spot, as they face into a familiar foe in Armagh in two weeks’ time. But, the fact Roscommon were outscored 3-8 to 0-2 after half time will be a concern going forward.

Mary Grehan’s side looked in cruise control when they led 4-4 to 1-1 after Áine O’Meara bagged her second goal of the contest. Sally Bolger had rattled the net inside two minutes while majors from O’Meara and Rachel Fitzmaurice showed that Roscommon had the measure of the Cavan defence when their attack was supplied with quick, accurate deliveries as they dominated the Cavan puckout.

Even though Roscommon were set to face into the elements in the final period and Shanise Fitzsimons arrowed over a ’45 on the stroke of half time, Roscommon still enjoyed a 4-4 to 1-2 lead at the interval.

Roscommon sought to shut up shop with Hannah Murray entering the fray and Oonagh Kelly switching from her full back role to sweeper. But, Fitzmaurice and O’Meara became isolated while Cavan turned the tables and completely dominated the middle third battle.

Cavan played with a sense of freedom in the second half, which they began in whirlwind fashion as they bagged 1-2 without reply, the goal coming from Roisin O’Keeffe with the opening score of the final half.

An Orla Connolly free, which pushed Roscommon’s lead to seven, appeared to settle the home side. However, Roscommon didn’t seize the initiative as an O’Keeffe score gave Cavan the momentum and kickstarted a run of 1-4 without reply, as Aela O’Sullivan rattled the net.

A Connolly free momentarily stemmed the tide but Cavan had all the momentum as O’Keeffe netted late on to inflict defeat on Roscommon.

*Full report in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald*