Laois 2-10 Roscommon 0-7
National Camogie League Division 3A
On a wet dreary day in Mountmellick GAA, Laois took on Roscommon in their final home game over the league campaign.
The two sides faced off in the same competition last year, with Laois securing an eight-point victory that they increased by one this afternoon.
The win today secured Laois a place in the final for the second consecutive year.
Despite the conditions, the O’Moore ladies put on a fine display of camogie ensuring they put their best foot forward earning a spot in the final this year.
Laois had a super start as they had a strong wind behind them and racked up 1-7 before their opponents registered a score.
Eimear Hassett got the scoring underway as she split the posts after just 30 seconds with Grainne Delaney following suit almost immediately after.
A well worked team goal came next as Kirsten Keenan found Collier who set Susie Delaney through on goal, Delaney side stepped the keeper and tapped the ball to the net.
Collier opened her account with a fine score over her left shoulder then pointed a 45’ three minutes later.
Keenan and Clodagh Tynan (free) also registered their first scores of the game with a second white flag raised for Grainne Delaney.
Roscommon found their footing and slotted over three scores in three minutes courtesy of an Orla Connolly free, while Tara Naughton and Rachel Fitzmaurice also pointed for the away side.
The following four scores were traded between the sides with Collier and Susie Delaney pointing for Laois while Sinead Mannion and Naughton were under Roscommon’s scores.
Laois headed for the dressing room with a healthy seven point lead at half time – 1-9 to 0-5.
The weather conditions worsened for the second half and saw a very low scoring 30 minutes from both sides.
Laois had a positive start as they were able to get the all important goal that put the game to bed inside the first minute of the half.
The ball went need to end for the following 10 minutes before Roscommon’s Naughton and Connolly added to their previous scores pointing from play and a second free for Connolly.
Susie Delaney pointed the final score of the contest which sees Laois into the final round of the league and a guaranteed spot in the National League Division 3A final.
Laois will face Wicklow in their final league game before they prepare for their league final battle with their opponents yet to be determined.
SCORERS — Laois: Susie Delaney 1-2, Eimear Hassett 1-1, Aimee Collier 0-3 (one 45’), Grainne Delaney 0-2, Kirsten Keenan and Clodagh Tynan (free) 0-1 each. Roscommon: Tara Naughton 0-3, Orla Connolly 0-2fs, Sinead Mannion and Rachel Fitzmaurice 0-1 each.
LAOIS: Grace Fox (St. Lazarian’s); Laura Finlay (St Brigid’s), Ellen Conroy (O’Moore’s), Fiona Scully (Camross); Sinead Slevin (Banrion Gaels), Clodagh Tynan (St Brigid’s), Alice Walsh (The Harps); Lynda Keyes (Camross), Liadan C-Fennell (O’Moore’s); Kaylee O’Keefe (Abbeyleix), Kirsten Keenan (Camross), Grainne Delaney (Camross); Eimear Hassett (St Brigid’s), Aimee Collier (Camross), Susie Delaney (Portlaoise). Subs: Alannah Tynan (St Brigid’s) for Collier (38) and Kayla Dwyer (The Harps) for Slevin (60).
ROSCOMMON: Andrea Fallon; Michella Rogers, Shauna McDermott, Aideen O’Brian; Hannah Murray, Rachel Fitzmaurice, Erin McDermott; Sally Bolger, Orla Connolly; Sinead Mannion, Mairead Lohan, Tara Naughton; Celine Gacquin, Sarah Dooley, Oonagh Kelly.
Referee: Karol Collins (Galway)
SEE ALSO – ‘Encouraging’ early numbers prompt calls for extension to Portlaoise Bus Service
