Roscommon remain unbeaten despite being pegged back by Kildare
Roscommon junior captain for the day against Kildare last Saturday was Rachel Fitzmaurice.
The Roscommon junior camogie team battled hard but were denied a second successive victory as Kildare’s Lea Sutton struck over a late free to ensure the spoils were shared at Manguard Park, Newbridge, on Saturday last.
The result means Roscommon are unbeaten after their opening two games following their first round victory against Tyrone.
Despite Kildare full-forward, Sarah Lavin opening the scoring for the home side, Roscommon settled quickly and were able to pin their opponents back.
Tara Naughton showed her menace in the early stages as she fired over three early scores, including two from play. Meanwhile, Sarah Dooley, who helped Pádraig Pearses to the county Junior A title this year, also bagged an early brace.
Ciara Kilcommins almost placed clear daylight between the sides, but her effort was deflected out for a ’45, which Naughton converted.
Dooley arrowed over her third of the game, but Kildare hit back with Sutton bagging a trio of scores and Caoimhe Ní Bhuirceal adding another.
Goalkeeper Andrea Fallon produced a vital intervention to deny Rianna Cribbin a goal as Roscommon led 0-7 to 0-5 at half time.
Mary Grehan’s side almost enjoyed the perfect start to the second half, but a couple of goal chances went abegging. Sally Bolger did arrow over a score, while captain Rachel Fitzmaurice also found the target. Tara Naughton grabbed a key score in a move started by full-back Aideen O’Brien.
Bolger was on target once more, but Kildare came roaring back into proceedings when Róisín Forde bagged two points while Sutton and Ní Bhuirceal were on target.
Then the home side struck for a sucker punch goal as Kildare edged in front.
Rachel Fitzmaurice grabbed a key score to equalise before she moved Roscommon in front by the minimum.
However, Sutton held her nerve from the placed ball to ensure the sides could not be separated.
Roscommon will enjoy their first home game of the season when they face a Wicklow side that have won both of their games to date in Ballyforan this Saturday at 2 p.m..
ROSCOMMON: Andrea Fallon; Michelle Rogers, Shauna McDermott, Aideen O’Brien; Hannah Murray, Mairead Lohan, Erin McDermott; Rachel Fitzmaurice, Sally Bolger; Sinead Mannion, Orla Connolly, Tara Naughton; Ciara Kilcommins, Sarah Dooley, Oonagh Kelly. Sub used: Ava Mulry for Ciara Kilcommins.
