Roscommon 2-6 Carlow 1-5 Roscommon Junior Camogie team took a major step in the direction of the hunt for national silverware as they defeated a physical Carlow side at Padraig Pearses, Woodmount. As a result of this win, Roscommon now look to secure a place in the League Final against old rivals Meath, although the sides still look to clash next weekend in the last round of the League. The opening exchanges of the game were tight and tough with little being given or taken. Carlow started the brighter and had the first score of the day, a free from Valerie Crean. From this score however it was Roscommon who started to dominate proceedings and with the aid of a stiff 1 st half breeze, they were up by 7 points after 25 minutes, with two goals from Athleague’s Kelly Hopkins following a superb pass from Annette McGeeney who collected a Ciara Moran free. Minutes later, Cathriona Regan had the green flag raised again as she rattled the net with a superb strike. All of the forwards combined well together which ultimately led to points from Annette McGeeney, Kelly Hopkins, Clodagh Rogers and Catriona Regan. Roscommon went in at the break ahead 2-4 to 2 points, however in the second half Carlow emerged a somewhat different side. For the majority of the second half, possession was with the visitors however the Roscommon backs stood firm and put in some hard tackles and commanded their area with authority. A lapse in concentration led to a Carlow player being unmarked which led to a goal despite the best efforts of goalkeeper, Caroline Connaughton. This score meant that there was just two points separating the sides, Roscommon needed to up the ante. Each and every player dug deep with the forwards forging for the ball to seek out a much-needed score. It didn’t come until the 22 nd minute though when Roscommon raised white flags from the sticks of Kelly Hopkins and Annette McGeeney. The remaining 5 minutes were tense, but luckily the pendulum swung in Roscommon’s favour and they held out for a deserving win on a scoreline of 2-6 to 1-5. Roscommon: Caroline Connaughton, Emer Farrell, Niamh Connolly, Carmel Killeen, Ciara Moran, Siobhan Coyle, Cathriona Morris, Donna Kelly, Catriona Regan (1-1), Kelly Hopkins (1-2), Patricia Lennon, Gertie Dowd, Annette McGeeney (2pts), Clodagh Rogers (1pt), Rachael Fallon. Subs: Elaine Daly/Donna Kelly, Sarah Keaveney/Carmel Killeen (inj), Clare Curley/Patricia Lennon, Clare Casey, Fiona Connell, Paula Daly, Audrey Delaney. Camogie notes Roscommon Junior Camogie team remain unbeaten in this year’s National Junior Division 4 League as a result of another victory at the weekend over Carlow on a scoreline of Roscommon 2-6, Carlow 1-5. The team still have to battle it out against the Royal County, Meath, next weekend. Congratulations and well done to Four Roads’ Gertie Dowd and Oran’s Catriona Regan, both members of the Roscommon Junior Camogie team who have been selected on the Interprovincial Secondary Schools team. It is all hands on deck for the next two weeks, as Roscommon County Camogie Board host National Congress on the 28 th and 29 th March at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone. A full report will follow in the week leading to the event. Also on Friday night, 28 th March, the Roscommon Sports Partnership awards night takes place in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon. Athleague’s Mary Finneran is the camogie recipient, an award duly deserved for all the hard work, time and dedication Mary devoted to the sport in 2007 both for Athleague and Roscommon, on and off the field. Four Roads’ Pat Barrett is also picking up the Hall of Fame Award, a very worthy winner. Pat was also nominated by Roscommon Co. Camogie.
This Week’s Digital Edition
