Congratulations to the Premier Junior girls and management who captured the Littlewoods League Div 3 title today in Coralstown/Kinnegad. Roscommon had a 2 point lead at half time 0-5 to 0-3 but an improved second half performance saw the Dublin get on top. Final score Dublin 0-12 Roscommon 0-7
Dublin’s National League Div 3 title
Dublin defeated Roscommon in the group stage of this competition when these two sides met in March but Roscommon had a number of players unavailable that day. Today we looked forward to a finely balanced contest at Coralstown/Kinnegad. And that’s what we got, despite the wind and the rain.
Dublin started well. Laoise Quinn, Dublin’s highest scorer, had a point on the board within a minute of the throw-in. Caragh Dawson added a second on four minutes. Roscommon were guilty of some early misses but had equalised by the 12th minute with fine points from Niamh Watson and Shauna Fallon. Half way through the half Aoife Bugler put Dublin ahead with a well taken point. But this was to be Dublin’s last score of the half as Roscommon were the better side for the remainder of the half. They were without doubt in the ascendency, adding on three more points, one from Shauna Fallon and a pair from centre forward Kelley Hopkins. Dublin’s hard work, tracking back and resolute defence coupled with some wayward shooting from the Roscommon girls meant that Dublin only trailed by 2 points at the break.Roscommon 0-5 Dublin 0-3. One felt that Roscommon should have been further ahead at the interval.
Dublin started the second half with renewed energy and intensity. They had drawn level within 3 minutes with a well taken point from Laoise Quinn and a brilliant individual effort from Caragh Dawson. Laoise Quinn added 2 more to give Dublin a two point lead mid-way through the half. When awarded a free on 17 minutes Roscommon’s Shauna Fallon went for a goal but keeper Aisling Spillane did well to make the important save. Shauna managed to send the rebound over the bar leaving just a point between the teams. Dublin were playing well adding 2 more points before substitute Chloe Whyte Lennon pointed for Roscommon leaving only 2 points between the sides approaching full time. 2 points is a dangerous lead in hurling or camogie with 4 minutes of normal time and 4 minutes of time added on remaining! But the Dublin backs did Trojan work to keep the Roscommon forwards at bay. They were magnificent in the last ten minutes. Great running and passing between Roisin Drohan and Caragh Dawson, who must have covered every inch of the pitch, enabled both of them to add on points. Aoife Bugler pointed a 45 to give the Dubs their first League title in 5 years. Final score Dublin 0-12 Roscommon 0-7
Dublin will be delighted with this deserved win putting the 3 league final and one league semi-final defeats of the last 4 years at this grade behind them. All players and management can be proud of their win today. It was not an easy win. Roscommon are a good side and never gave up but on the day the Dubs were not going to be beaten. They can look forward to taking part in Div 2 next year. Of course there’s the more immediate challenge to look forward to - a Leinster and an All Ireland championship. Bring it on!
Player of the final: Caragh Dawson was named Player of the final.
Dublin scorers: Laoise Quinn 0-5(3 frees); Caragh Dawson 0-3; Roisín Drohan 0-2 A Bugler (1@45),
Dublin: Aisling Spillane, Ciara Buchannan, Laura Walsh, Emma O’Flynn, Emma Barron, Deirdre Johnstone, Grainne Free, Eimear O’Riordan, Roisín Drohan, Roisín Baker, Aoife Bugler, Caragh Dawson, Laoise Quinn, Emer Keenan (capt.), Sinéad Nolan.
Subs: Chloe Ní Cheallaigh, Grainne Power, Aoife Walsh Emma Young, Kate Mulvey, Nadine Murphy, Caoimhe Ní Mhaolagáin, Aoife Dooley, Ciara Carolan, Róisín MacLoughlan, Niamh Gleeson and Evelyn Twomey
Subs used: Grainne Power for Eimear O’Riordan (half time), Niamh Gleeson for Laura Walsh and Aoife Walsh for Roisin Baker during the second half.
Referee: A.O'Brien (Wexford)
Happy captain Emer Keenan and happy Player of the Match Caragh Dawson