It has been a busy few days on the Roscommon Camogie scene with action in the group stage of the Senior Championship and much more.
Picture Credit ©INPHO/Tommy Grealy
Senior Championship
Defending county champions Athleague have secured two wins out of two this weekend. It is still all to be played for with no team securing for a County Final place yet There is a break for Clubs next weekend and the third round is fixed for Saturday 24th September. Athleague face Oran in one game and in the other game Four Roads will take on St. Dominics. Depending on results of these game there may be a lot of Camogie to be played for a chance to compete on County Final day.
Four-Roads 1-7, Oran 1-2
Torrential rain delayed the start of this senior championship match and a further downpour 10 mins into the game left the pitch waterlogged in many areas. Both teams deserve great credit for serving up a competitive game which was a lottery at times for the players. Scores were hard to come by and just a point separated the teams at half time.
The second half saw Four-Roads take a six point lead after a Lizzie Glennon goal but Oran fought back and got a goal of their own to reduce the lead. However Four-Roads finished the stronger and although they were guilty of a number of wides they held out for a crucial win.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Caitriona Regan who suffered a recurrence of her ankle injury during the game.
Athleague 4-7 St Dominics 1-6
Athleague and St Dominics faced off in the second round of the senior championship at Knockcrogery last Saturday. Both sides featuring a number of players who donned the Roscommon jersey all summer, an intriguing contest was hopefully going to be in store. Athleague started brightly and a goal registered in the 1st 5 minutes, when a free went all the way to the net from the stick of Kelley Hopkins. The game ebbed and flowed with both sides trading points from placed balls. St Dominics pegged a goal back of their own when a Susan Spillane high ball into the Athleague square deceived all and ended up in the back of the net. Just before half time, Athleague scored another major, this time from the stick of Niamh Farrell. The game had to be abandoned 3 minutes from half time to allow a major rain shower and mini tornado to pass over!
When play resumed it, was Atheague who went in at the half time break leading 2.6 to 1.3.
The second half saw some resolute defending from both teams and indeed St Dominic’s posed a great threat anytime they raided forward but Athleague goal keeper and defence kept the defence tight. Athleague got to life again half way through the second half and goals from Rebecca Brennan and Niamh Farrell and points from Annette McGeeney sealed victory for Athleague.
Both sides put up a good show despite the shocking weather conditions.
U16 Championship
We have just completed round 5 of “Support Croí, Heart Smart” U16 Championship. Games are proving to be competitive and closely fought between clubs. As is stands at the moment, Padraig Pearses and Roscommon Gaels are top of the table each having won their respective games over Tulsk and Athleague at the weekend. Four Roads and St. Dominics competing strongly behind, next weekend also sees a break in this championship with clubs returning to action on Saturday 17th September.
In round 6 we will see St. Dominics take on Oran and Tulsk will play Athleague. Padraig Pearses and Roscommon Gaels have had this round postponed until October 15th owing to a clash with Intermediate Football Finals.
Gannon Landscape U12 League Finals
Roscommon Gaels is this year’s host of the U12 Finals Day, what promises to be a great fun day out for all Camogie clubs. Unfortunately, due to heavy rain fall on Saturday morning last the decision was taken to postpone the games. We wait for a date to be confirmed for the girls to avail of the opportunity to line out on the county Final day.
Roscommon U14’s set for All-Ireland Blitz
Next weekend will see our U14 squad take the road to Dublin where they will participate in the All-Ireland blitz day. The girls have been coached all summer by David Bolger, Marie Glennon, John Casey and assisted on occasions by Roscommon Camogie Development Officer Sharon Kavanagh. We thank all the coaches and wish them and the squad the very best of luck in what is always a very enjoyable weekend.
The girls will stay overnight in Dublin and attend the Camogie All-Ireland on Sunday next. Best of luck to all and enjoy the occasion.