Armagh 1-11 Wexford 1-14
Wexford denied Armagh a famous All-Ireland double on Sunday when they shaded an intense encounter.
The girls put in a gallant effort and kept battling right to the final whistle, but it just wasn’t to be.
Ciara Donnelly may not have got the chance to climb the Hogan Stand steps, but she was incredible.
The Eglish star finished with 0-10 to her name and carried the fight for Armagh the whole way through.
As expected, the game was tough and tight from the get-go, with both sides giving it their all and leaving everything on the pitch.
Mattie Lennon’s side were brilliant in the opening quarter and brought huge intensity right from the first whistle.
Eimear Smyth’s fortuitous goal had the 2020 Junior champions ahead at the first water break, 1-4 to 0-4.
Wexford improved dramatically on the restart and levelled the game within a matter of minutes.
Ciarrai Devlin tipped over Emma Codd’s goal-bound effort, but the Wexford three-pointer would come eventually.
The Leinster sides shot towards goal was nudged over the line by the retreating Nicola Woods, in an attempt to clear the ball.
Two Donnelly points closed the gap by the half time break, with Armagh trailing narrowly by two, 1-8 to 1-6.
The Orchard County burst out of the traps again, led by the accurate Donnelly, who recorded four of the opening five scores after the turnaround.
Wexford had a couple of stars of their own and midfielder Chloe Cashe nailed a score to tie the game for the 7th time.
Cashe grabbed another before a monster effort from Ciara Hill levelled the game and it was all to play.
The yellow bellies nailed the final three scores of the game to get their hands on the Kay Mills Cup.
Armagh just couldn’t get the goal that would force a replay, although they gave their all trying.
While it’s disappointment today, Mattie Lennon will be hugely proud of his sides efforts this year.
Wexford denied Armagh league and All-Ireland success, but were they only side Lennon’s ladies lost to this season.
Armagh: Ciarrai Devlin, Aislinn Harvey, Nicola Woods, Stephanie Curry, Caella Casey, Grainne McWilliams, Gemma McCann, Michelle McArdle, Leanne Donnelly, Ciara Hill 0-1, Colette McSorley, Bernie Murray, Orlagh Murray, Ciara Donnelly 0-10 (8f), Eimear Smyth 1-0. Subs: Eimear Hayes for G. McCann, Katie Convie for O. Murray, Sinead Kiernan for C. McSorley, Orlagh Curry for B. Murray.
