Cavan outclass Roscommon to lift league title

Camogie

Cavan 3-16

Roscommon 0-7

Littlewoods Camogie Division 4 league final

Cavan camógs picked up national silverware before a large crowd in Pearse Park, Longford as they proved much too strong for Roscommon in the Littlewoods League Division 4 final on Sunday last.

As one spectator comically stated, “if you didn’t know you were in Longford, you’d think you were in Spain”, such was the heat before throw-in.

Both sides came into the final boasting a 100pc record in 2021 with Roscommon holding a 16-point average winning margin over their four league games to date. The sides did meet in last year’s Premier Junior All-Ireland semi-final with Cavan coming away with a 13-point victory on that occasion but Roscommon had strengthened their squad since.

The game started at a frantic pace with Roscommon creating the early scoring chances but not converting them. Cavan’s first attempt for a score was a Clodagh Keenaghan free in the fourth minute from which she raised the game’s first white flag.

Showing no effects of the game the evening before with the Cavan footballers, Ciara Finnegan doubled the Cavan lead before Clodagh Keenaghan’s ’45 gave the Blues a three-point lead after 13 minutes.

Despite the early Cavan lead, Roscommon were winning a lot of the on-field battles but mounting wides and shots dropped into Laura Bambrick’s hands meant they had nothing to show for it. Kelley Hopkins finally opened the Roscommon account in the 15th minute followed by a second from corner-forward Leah Rowe.

If ever there was a day for a water break, Sunday was that day and as referee Aaron Hogg called the break, Cavan held a single-point advantage. Shortly after the restart Roscommon looked to have broken through on goal with Nicola Crean but Aideen Coyle stood strong to deny a major and set Cavan on the attack.

Within 30 seconds, Player of the Match Niamh Keenaghan had the ball in the back of the Roscommon net after a timely assist by Sinead McKenna. A long range point from Ciara Finnegan edged Cavan into slightly flattering five-point lead.

Roscommon continued to take the game to Cavan and once again Nicola Crean broke through on goal but this time Bambrick rushed off her line to maintain Cavan’s clean sheet. Living dangerously, Bambrick saved a point from crossing the bar which almost ended up in the net after it rebounded off the woodwork but she calmly gathered and cleared the danger again.

Cavan’s efficiency in attack was proving vital as Roscommon’s first half missed efforts could have added 2-12 to their tally. Rebecca Brennan and Leah Rowe (free) did manage to close the gap to three points but Clodagh Keenaghan had the final say with a free to leave the half-time score 1-5 to 0-4.

If anybody had doubts about the quality of this Cavan camogie side, the second half put them to bed. The skills execution, athleticism, team work and work ethic were simply a joy to watch. Niamh Keenaghan and Shauna Fallon traded points before Cavan took complete control of the game.

A spectacular point from Josephine Maguire while turning in a crowded area on the ’45 raised Cavan’s game to a level Roscommon couldn’t match. McKenna cruised away from her marker and split the uprights before Clodagh Keenaghan added her fourth free of the day.

With Roscommon needing the water break to relieve the pressure, dual stars McKenna and Niamh Keenaghan combined to leave Cavan 1-10 to 0-5 ahead entering the final quarter. Points from sisters Niamh and Clodagh Keenaghan (two frees) and the ever-dangerous Shanise Fitzsimon,s all coming from turnovers by the steely Cavan defence, took the wind from Roscommon’s sails.

Any slim chance of a comeback was ended in the 56th minute as Niamh Keenaghan showed the Roscommon defence a clean pair of heels before finishing to the net. A point and ruthlessly taken goal from a tight angle by Shanise Fitzsimons saw Cavan lead 3-15 to 0-5 with five minutes to go.

A Kelley Hopkins free and a Rachel Fitzmaurice point finished off Roscommon’s challenge before Emer Fitzpatrick cemented Cavan’s win with a point on the 33th minute. When Cavan hit top gear there was only ever going to be one winner and the sweltering conditions allowed them to exhibit just what they are capable of.

Cavan: Laura Bambrick, Caoimhe Clarke, Aideen Coyle, Lauren Ellis, Rosie Crowe-McKeever, Erinn Galligan, Aoishe O’Reilly, Ciaran Finnegan (0-1), Josephine Maguire (0-1), Clodagh Keenaghan (0-6f), Shanise Fitzsimons (1-2), Sinead McKenna (0-2), Niamh Keenaghan (2-3), Orla Smith, Niamh Reilly. Subs: Elaine Brady for Orla Smith, Tina Reilly, for Aoishe O’Reilly, Emer Fitzpatrick (0-1) for Niamh Reilly, Carmel Fay for Caoimhe Clarke, Lorna Cahill for Lauren Ellis.

Roscommon: Michaela Fallon, Chloe White Lennon, Niamh Farrell, Eimear McNally, Rachel Dolan, Joanne Beattie, Aleisha Lenehan, Niamh Watson, Rachel Fitzmaurice (0-1), Áine O’Meara, Niamh Coyle, Rebbecca Brennan (0-1), Kelley Hopkins (0-2,1f), Nicola Crean, Leah Rowe (0-2,1f)

Subs: Shauna Fallon (0-1f), Sinéad O’Brien for Nicola Crean, Shona Hanly for Áine O’Meara.