Rovers return home as County champions
CAMOGIE: County Junior 'A' Championship Final
Shannon Rovers 2-10
Knockavilla Kickhams 0-15
Report: Liam Hogan at The Ragg
Photos: Odhran Ducie
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Aine Slattery (Shannon Rovers)
SCORERS - Shannon Rovers: Aoife McLoughney 0-8 (5 frees, 1’45); Aine Cleary, Laura Leenane 1-1 each.
Knockavilla Kickhams: Eimear Heffernan 0-10 (4 frees); Averyl Friday 0-2; Kerrie Ann Walshe, Caoimhe McCarthy 0-1 each.
Aoife McLoughney’s 62nd minute free proved to be the difference as Shannon Rovers survived a strong second half comeback by Knockavilla Kickhams to bridge a gap of 23 years to claim their third County Junior 'A' Camogie Championship title last Saturday.
In a well attended game, the Rovers started well and goals by Laura Leenane and Ciara Cleary plus Aoife McLoughney’s accuracy from frees and play helped them to a six point lead at half time.
However the second half was a different story as Rovers came under pressure with Knockavilla Kickhams, led by Tipp star Ereena Friday at centre back as well as Caoimhe McCarthy and Eimear Heffernan up front came within a point of the leaders before Aoife McLoughney’s injury time winner.
Two point leads are dangerous as we know and in the remaining six minutes of added time, the Rovers defence was on overtime but such was their workrate that the concession of one more Kickham point through Eimear Heffernan (her tenth) was as much as they would allow and the sound of the final whistle was much relief to a delighted team and their followers.
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