Cavan earn opening league win with last gasp winner

CAMOGIE Newly promoted Cavan put in claim Armagh's scalp in opener

Cavan 0-11

Armagh 0-10

In strong winds and cold temperatures Cavan Camogs held their nerve to win a memorable league opener against Armagh on Saturday.

Having only been promoted to Division 3 of Littlewoods National League Cavan went into the fixture with the Orchard County as under dogs, but an injury time winner from the stick of Niamh Keenaghan saw them depart Middletown with the points.

While it was Niamh who banged over the decisive point it was her sister Clodagh who had laid much of the groundwork for the victory, scoring all but two of her side’s points.

Armagh had the better of the opening exchanges leading two points one, but with Clodagh on fire the ladies in blue were a point ahead after just 15 minutes with a score line of 0-4 to Armagh’s 0-3.

On the 29th minute Denn’s Hannah Fitzsimons got her name on the scoreboard for Cavan, but Armagh continued to press on and scored another point just before the break leaving it Cavan 0-06 Armagh 0-05.

After the restart Laragh’s Clodagh again knocked over two more points to Armagh’s one. Armagh brought the game to a draw on the 17th minute but the Cavan ladies pushed through with Clodagh scoring a point from play at the 22nd minute and a point from a free in the 24th minute.

Armagh responded with points in the 27th minute and a free in the 29th minute leaving the teams at 0-10 points each but a cool and calm Niamh Keenaghan stepped up and scored a point in the 31st minute to give Cavan their first win in the Division.

Cavan Camogie take on Roscommon next Saturday, March 5 at 2pm. A venue is to be confirmed.