National Camogie League –Final
Armagh vs Wexford
Saturday 19th June – Donaghmore, Ashbourne – 2.30pm
It’s been a fantastic start to life in inter-county Camogie management for Mattie Lennon, who has guided Armagh to the Division Three league final.
They’ve played some great stuff over the last number of weeks, winning two of their three encounters so far this year.
They brushed Down aside with minimal fuss in round one while Carlow offered a stiffer challenge in the semi-final.
A strong second half comeback from Carlow made a game of it, but Armagh had enough quality to get through to the decider.
The one blemish on their record is currently Wexford, but they have an opportunity to avenge that loss this weekend.
The two have also been drawn in the same group for the All-Ireland Premier Junior Championship, as Armagh aim to retain their 2020 title.
Their round three clash with the Yellow Bellies a few weeks ago was an exciting end-to-end encounter and the same will be expected in the showpiece.
That game signalled the return to the county scene of experienced players Michelle McArdle and Colette McSorley.
Both were named from the start against Carlow while Cullyhanna’s Bernie Murray has also been recalled to the panel.
Eimear Hayes has slotted in at centre half back this year while youngsters such as Katie Convie and Meabh Lennon have saw game time in recent outings.
Granemore duo Ciara Hill and Rachael Merry didn’t start the last day out but will be pushing for a starting berth this weekend.
Merry was involved in some key moments in the second half of the semi-final after bring introduced, scoring a goal and setting up another for Ciara Donnelly.
Donnelly remains the main scoring threat up top and has hit six goals in three games to bring her personally tally to 6-14.
She didn’t have the best of games the first day out against Wexford, with centre half back Clodagh Jackman moving back to shadow the Eglish woman.
A big game will be expected of Donnelly but the likes of McSorley, Orlagh Murray and Sinead Kiernan can help remove some of the scoring burden.
Leanne Donnelly is also a key member of the forward unit, and she makes the side take from the centre half forward position.
Louise Toner returned to the starting team against Carlow along with her Ballymacnab clubmate Laura Smyth, having not played in that round three clash with Wexford.
It’s an exciting time for Armagh Camogie and a league title would top off a brilliant start to the 2021 season.
They carried their winning momentum from last years championship run and they will hope that helps to get the win this weekend.
