Roscommon championship news

“

ROSCOMMON COUNTY CAMOGIE BOARD NOTES:

Nancy Murray Cup – 3^rd Round.

Roscommon made the long journey to the Gaelic Grounds, Armagh on Saturday last for the 3^rd round of the Nancy Murray cup and came away with a stunning win on the score line of 4-13 to 3-11.

Armagh made a great start to this game and they had the ball in the back of the Roscommon net after 50 seconds from full-forward Colette McSorley.  Colette was on target once again after a minute and 50 seconds when she put Armagh further ahead with a fine point from play on the left hand side of the field. 

Roscommon had their opening score of the half in the 5^th minute, when Annette McGeeney raced through after a fine pass from Cait Kenny and hand passed the ball to the back of the net.  From the puck out Roscommon gained possession in the half-forward line and Kelly Hopkins brought the teams level.  Armagh went ahead again in the 7^th minute when Colette McSorley had another point.  In the 8^th minute Roscommon went ahead again when like the first goal exchanges between Annette McGeeney who on this occasion passed to Cait Kenny who blasted the ball to the back of the net. 

However, Armagh hit back in determined fashion and scored l goal 5 pts without reply from the 9^th to the 20^th minute – 2 pts from frees from Colette McSorley and 3 points from play from half forwards Joanne Mallon, Ciara Donnelly and Grainne Kelly and the goal coming once again from Colette McSorley.  Roscommon stopped the rot in the 20^th minute when Kelly Hopkins sent over a point from a free. 

Roscommon were awarded a penalty in the 21^st minute after Annette McGeeney was fouled.  Annette had in fact scored a goal but the advantage was not allowed and the penalty was awarded.  Kelly Hopkins took the penalty but sent the ball over the bar.  Armagh replied once again with a point from play from Collette McSorley in the 23^rd minute. Annette McGeeney then got another point back for Roscommon but once again Colette McSorley replied with a point from a free on the 45 metre line.

Roscommon centre-fielder, Patricia Lennon scored a fine point in the 26^th minute but the final score of the first half came in the 28^th minute of the half from a free for Armagh from Colette McSorley to leave the half-time score Armagh 2 goals 10 pts, Roscommon 2 goals 5 pts. 

Straight from the throw in for the second half Niamh Coyle gained possession and passed to Annette McGeeney who raced through the Armagh defence but Annette was brought down by the Armagh full-back Ann McGuigan and was booked for the offence.  Annette got up, dusted herself down and took the penalty but the low shot was saved by the Armagh goalkeeper . 

A slight breeze was assisting the Roscommon team in the 2^nd half and the puck-outs from the Armagh goalkeeper were dropping in their half-back line.  Kelly Hopkins was fouled on the 30 metre line in the second minute of the half but her free just dropped wide.  From the puck out once again Caitriona Regan gained possession for Roscommon but she was fouled on the 45metre line.  Kelly Hopkins once again stepped up to take the free and her high shot just dropped in over the goalkeepers hurl to the back of the net to leave just 2 pts between the team. 

In the 8^th minute of the new half Annette McGeeney scored a point from play and the teams drew level in the 9^th minute when Kelly Hopkins sent over a fine point from play.  From this to the end of the game Roscommon took complete control of the game and, in fact Armagh did not register their first score of the half until the 24^th minute when right full-forward Paula Mallon sent over their first point.

Between the 9^th and 23^rd minute Roscommon had points from play from Claire Curley, Niamh Coyle, Annette McGeeney and Kelly Hopkins whilst Kelly Hopkins had a point from a free also.  Annette McGeeney put 8 pts between the teams in the 23^rd minute when she scored a fine goal after a fine pass from Sinead O’Brien.

Roscommon introduced Fiona Connell for Sinead O’Brien and Audrey Morris for Claire Curley in the 26^th minute of the half.  In the 27^th minute of the half Sharon Finneran