Armagh 0-19 Cavan 3-7
The Armagh Camogie team have been crowned Premier Junior All-Ireland champions with a brilliant win over Cavan!
Despite being behind at the first water break, Armagh were the better team throughout and deserving claimed the Kay Mills trophy.
Ciara Donnelly will deserving take all the plaudits as she was superb in seeing off Cavan’s challenge, hitting 13 points on the day.
The first half played out in two very different quarters, with both sides experiencing dominance either side of the water break.
Cavan’s physicality and power around the middle saw them take control during the early exchanges, although the Donnelly’s ensured Armagh stayed in touch.
The sides traded points to tie three points each before Cavan took over with two quickfire scores to take the lead.
Orla Smith, Roisin O’Keeffe and Shanise Fitzsimmons all raised white flags for the home side while Ciara (2) and Leanne Donnelly answered for Armagh.
Sinead McKenna became Cavan’s 4th scorer of the half on the 15th minute when the Armagh defence held out brilliantly and denied the Cavan attack a shot at goal.
The Breffni ladies would rattle the net at the next attempt however and it was Rosie Crowe-McKeever who grabbed the games first goal.
The water break halted Cavan’s momentum and Armagh came charging out of the blocks to hit seven unanswered points.
The Donnelly’s lit up Breffni Park with some outstanding scores and displayed serious pace that tormented the Cavan rear-guard.
Rachael Merry also chipped in with a score to see Armagh ahead 0-10 to 1-4 at the break, with Ciara Donnelly swinging over the last three points of the half.
Donnelly got the action restarted after the turnaround with a point, but Cavan once again took control and shot ahead.
Rosie Crowe-McKeever netted for the second time following a brilliant run from Roisin O’Keeffe who found the goal-scorer free in the square.
Points from Orla Smith and Sinead McKenna (free) put Cavan ahead for the first time since the 23rd minute of the first half.
Rachael Merry traded scores with McKenna while Ciara Donnelly got the Orchard back on level terms as she slotted over a 45.
Two massive Leanne Donnelly points either side of the second water break sent Armagh ahead, but Cavan refused to quit.
Sinead McKenna grabbed her sides third goal of the game to go ahead, but Ciara Donnelly levelled the encounter once again to ensure a tense finale.
The Eglish star was in the form of her life and swung over the final three points of the game to put Armagh in control.
Cavan did have one final chance, but a brilliant save on the goal line meant Armagh would keep their three-point lead.
Michael Murphy’s side were fully deserving of their victory and did their county proud with a phenomenal performance.
Armagh Team: Ciarrai Devlin, Mary Meehan, Nicola Woods, Gemma McCann, Sinead Kiernan, Louise Toner, Aisling Harvey, Ciara Hill, Aisling McMahon, Ellie McKee, Orlagh Murray, Eimear Smyth, Leanne Donnelly (0-4), Rachael Merry (0-2 1f), Ciara Donnelly (0-13 6f). Subs: Eimear O’Kane for A. Harvey, Niamh Forker for A. McMahon, Hannah French for M. Meehan, Laura Smyth for Eimear Smyth.
