Cavan claim Ulster Junior title
A Rosie Crowe inspired Cavan defeated a determined Armagh side by 3-10 to 2-10 in a great encounter in the NWP Recycling Ulster Junior Championship Final
Cavan made the stronger start and in the first minute scored from a free. But Armagh’s Michelle Morgan soon levelled the scores with a well taken point from play. These young girls were standing toe to toe with their rivals. Soon great points from play by Joanne Mullen in the 4 th minute and Rachael Merry in the 6 th minute had put Armagh ahead. Cavan stepped up their pace and scored from a free taken by Roisin O Keefe in the 7 th minute and she added to her tally again in the 9 th minute to bring the sides level.
This was shaping up to be a great match with both sides going for every ball with everything they had. And the young Armagh girls were handling the bigger more physical Cavan side rightly until in the 14 th minute the experiences corner forward Brid Boylan, Cavan’s vice-captain from the Castletara club side stepped her marker and netted the ball to put her county ahead by 3points.
Armagh fought back and in a game were every tackle mattered they stood shoulder to shoulder with Cavan. The 18 th Minute saw Armagh’s Michelle Morgan point a well struck 45, to bring just 2 points between the sides. Both sets of back were worked flat out for the next 10 minutes with a few goal scoring opportunities for Armagh being denied as the more experienced Cavan sides clearing their lines in the last second. In the 28 th min Cavan’s full forward Aisling Smith unable to get past the Armagh defence had to make do with a point. And in the 29 th minute Cavan’s full back Jenny O Rouke came forward to score a free. In the final minute of the first half Armagh made a surge up the field and Joanne Mullen after a great solo run sent the sliothar over the crossbar to score a well taken easy point which closed the gap to just a goal between the sides at halftime.
The second half started as the first had ended with the Armagh girls getting stuck in and fighting back. Corner forward Rachael Merry pointed a great shot in the 2 nd minute to give the girls a lift. And in the 5 th minute Cavan’s Jenny O Rouke stepped forward to score a 45. This was tit for tat camogie with Armagh’s Nicola Woods in the 8 th minute pointing a great ball from play. Cavan responded the following minute with a point from Roisin O Keefe. In the 12 th min Brid Boylan again pointed for Cavan and Armagh’s Michelle Morgan responded with a brilliant point in the 15 th minute of this second half. The gathered supporters were getting great value for money with this game. And the atmosphere was electric in the stands with both sides giving there all in their bid to win this ulster title.
Claire Fitzpatrick netted the ball for Cavan in the 16 th min which seemed to temporarily blow the wind out of the Armagh girl’s sails. But they picked themselves up and fought back much to the delight of their supporters.
Armagh were awarded a free in the 18 th min and Rachael Merry sailed the ball over the bar to close the gap to 5.And she also netted the ball in the 20 th minute to bring just 2 points between the sides. Everything was to play for in the last 10 minutes. Two more points in the 22 ND and 25 th minutes by the thorn in Armagh side Brid Boylan saw Cavan surge ahead once more and a goal by Grainne Power in the 28 th minute seemed to seal the deal.
But Armagh were having none of it and a brilliant point by Michelle Morgan in the 29 th minute brought their hopes alive again. Armagh worked hard and were rewarded when Caoimhe Shortt from Keady scored a brilliant goal to bring just a goal between the two sides. With 4 minutes injury time to be played everything was at stake. The Cavan backs battened down the hatches and they handled everything this brave young Armagh side threw at them. And boy they threw everything but the kitchen sink at them. Each and every Armagh girls dug deep and did everything they could to get within scoring distance but Cavan held strong. The brave young Armagh hearts were broken when the final whistle blew and Cavan had won but just 3points.
Cavan knew they had battled for this victory and were gracious winners as they thanked the Armagh girls for such a competitive match which in honesty could have went either way. Cavan Captain Rosie Crowe was awarded with Player of the Match by Ulster Camogie Vice Chairperson and proud Cavan woman Maura McGurren
