Granemore 0-12 Ballymacnab 0-11
GRANEMORE picked up their third Armagh Senior Camogie title on the trot with a one-point win over Ballymacnab. The reigning All-Ireland champions were six up at half time and survived a second half fightback from the Nab.
Rachael Merry top scored on the night for Granemore and her accuracy in front of the posts was key. Naoise Hughes provided the bulk of the scoring at the other end, while Ellen Lennon helped drag the Nab back into the game.
The sides traded scores at either end of the field at the start of the game, with Rachael Merry and Naoise Hughes slotting over frees. Merry added a further two points from the dead ball to put her side ahead.
Hughes grabbed her second from a free, but Granemore took complete control of the scoreboard for the rest of the half. Another Merry brace (one free) put the reigning champions three points to the good.
Ciara Hill got in on the scoring act as well while another two Merry scores extended the lead to six. That was the difference between the teams when they headed into the tunnel at the half time whistle, with Granemore ahead 0-8 to 0-2.
Ballymacnab fought their way back into contention after the turnaround and they struck the first three scores of the second period. Ellen Lennon grabbed two points while Aoibheann O’Hare also raised a white flag.
Merry kept the scoreboard ticking over for Granemore as she continued to grow her own personal tally. The teams then swapped scores with Hughes matching a score from Maria Haughey.
Two more from Hughes helped to cut the gap but once again Merry provided Granemore with some breathing space. Hughes chipped over another brace, split by a Corinna Doyle point, leaving Granemore ahead by one when the final whistle was blown.
Granemore Scorers: Rachael Merry 0-9 (7f), Ciara Hill 0-1, Maria Haughey 0-1, Corinna Doyle 0-1.
Ballymacnab Scorers: Naoise Hughes 0-8 (6f), Ellen Lennon 0-2, Aoibheann O’Hare 0-1.
PICTURES: JOHN MERRY
Rachael Merry receives the Player of the match award from Ulster Chairperson Karen McCormac
Granemore captain Ciara Hill receives the FR. Tom Sorahan Shield from Acting Chair Rosemary Hughes-Merry
Granemore manager Connor Devlin looks on with delight as team captain Ciara Hill lifts the Shield
Granemore management team: Conor McVerry (S&C), Adam Murtagh (Goalkeeping Coach), Connor Devlin (Manager) and Noel Murtagh (Coach)
