By Séamas McAleenan
Armagh City Hotel Ulster Club Junior A Camogie Championship final
Granemore (Armagh) 2-13 Ahoghill (Antrim) 0-8
A GOAL from Kate Smith late in the first half was the key score in this final in the Loup.
All-Ireland title-holders Granemore had held the lead from the first minute, but Ahoghill were gaining in confidence until the goal opened an interval lead of 1-7 to 0-5.
The Armagh side weathered the third-quarter storm and then pulled away with an unanswered 1-4 in the final 10 minutes to clinch their second successive title and keep them on course to retain their All-Ireland crown.
Rachael Merry opened the scoring from a free and player-of-the match Corrina Doyle and Kate Smith quickly added to that score for the holders to go three up before Noreen Graham opened Ahoghill’s account.
Granemore went on to lead by 0-5 to 0-1 before Ahoghill got to grips with the challenge, holding them scoreless from the 13th to the 27th minute and closing the gap with two Caitríona Graham frees and an excellent point from Aisling O’Donnell.
However, Granemore finished the half strongly with points from Merry and Jordan Carr, before Gráinne McWilliams picked out Merry with a long clearance from defence. Merry fired a superb diagonal pass to Kate Smith for the first goal.
Caitriona Graham started the second half with a point for Ahoghill and she and Maura Downey then traded points with Rachael Merry to leave it 1-9 to 0-8 going into the final quarter.
Doyle then picked off her third point and victory was assured when sub Lucy Doyle’s shot looped off Áine Graham and into the net after 55 minutes.
Merry raced through for three late points to give the scoreboard a rather more emphatic look than probably reflected the exchanges.
Granemore’s experience was a factor. They started and finished strongly, while Ahoghill were really chasing the game throughout.
Scorers
Granemore: R Merry 0-7 (0-2f); K Smith 1-1; L Doyle 1-0; C Doyle 0-3, L Carr & J Carr 0-1 each
Ahoghill: C Graham 0-5f; A O’Donnell, N Graham & M Downey 0-1 each
