Clearcut win for St Rita's Fethard in county Tipperary Under 21 camogie final

St Rita's Fethard 4-16 Roscrea 1-3

St Rita’s Fethard proved far too strong for a youthful Roscrea side as they captured the County Under 21 Division 2 Camogie Championship title with a commanding performance in the final.

The opening exchanges were evenly matched, with both teams registering a wide inside the first five minutes, but that brief parity quickly faded. Sharp thinking from the Fethard attack after five minutes proved decisive when a quickly-taken free found the unmarked Faye Lavin, who struck a superb goal from over 20 metres out.

That breakthrough opened the floodgates as Fethard took full control, dominating puckouts and applying constant pressure on the Roscrea defence. A second goal soon followed when Jess Gleeson reacted quickest to a rebound, helping to push the lead out to 2-6 to no score after just ten minutes.

Aided by a strong wind, Fethard continued to rack up scores through points from Heather Spillane, Anna Prendergast, Emily Spillane, Jess Gleeson and Torrie Doyle.

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Roscrea showed flashes of resistance when the lively Ciara Crofton burst through on goal, forcing an excellent save from the Fethard goalkeeper Sarah Smith, with Ella Brussels converting the rebound for Roscrea’s opening point.

At the interval, however, Fethard held a commanding 2-11 to 0-1 lead, with the midfield pairing of Emily and Heather Spillane exerting huge influence.

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Roscrea started the second half with renewed purpose, Laura Hogan raising a white flag before Ciara Crofton struck an impressive long-range goal to briefly lift their spirits.

Fethard responded calmly, with Anna Prendergast and Torrie Doyle landing fine points to maintain control.

By the 54th minute the scoreboard read 3-16 to 1-2, and although Crofton added a fine point from a ‘45, Fethard finished strongly. Second half goals from Jess Gleeson and Torrie Doyle underlined their dominance as they ran out deserved winners on a final scoreline of 4-16 to 1-3.

It was an excellent all-round team performance from St Rita’s Fethard, who were well balanced throughout and particularly impressive in attack.

Roscrea, despite the defeat, can take great encouragement from their young side, who battled gamely and enjoyed a positive campaign.

St Rita’s Fethard: Sarah Smith, Emily Davey, Grainne Murphy, Ciara Spillane, Lucy Kenny, Clodagh Foley, Emaleigh Cuddihy, Emily Spillane (0-2), Heather Spillane (0-5), Abbii Browne, Torrie Doyle (1-3), Aine Lawrence, Jess Gleeson (2-1), Anna Prendergast (0-5), Faye Lavin (1-0).
Subs: Tara Ryan for Faye Lavin, Maisie Walsh for Lucy Kenny, Meadbh Collum for Ciara Spillane.

Roscrea: Rebecca Murphy, Sarah McLoughlin, Molly Hayes, Kayla McNamara, Khya Lynch, Aoife Hogan, Laura Hogan, Aoibhe Matthew, Orla Carey, Molly Loughnane, Ciara Crofton (1-2), Ella Brussels (0-1), Méadhbh Mulrooney, Aoibhe McAndrews, Lucy Hogan.