Crossmaglen defeat Granemore to win the Armagh Senior Camogie title for the first time in 22 years

Crossmaglen defeated Granemore this afternoon to claim a first Armagh Senior Camogie Championship title in 22 years.

Faye Fitzpatrick was the stand-out with 1-7, and her second half goal ultimately proved to be the winner.

Crossmaglen got the first two scores on the board, with Faye Fitzpatrick raising the opening white flag from a free. From the resulting puck out, Cross forward Tina O’Reilly claimed possession and doubled her side’s advantage.

A Rachael Merry free got Granemore off the mark, but Crossmaglen dominated the majority of the first half, and rattled off seven points on the spin. Indeed, they could have hit the net twice only for inter-county goalkeeper Ciarrai Devlin denied Lauren McConville in a one on one, and moments later saved a low shot from Ashlinn McMahon.

Faye Fitzpatrick tagged on two frees however, the second one an outstanding finish from out on the right sideline, before O’Reilly pointed for the second time, squeezing over from a tight angle on the left wing.

Cross were in complete control and moved eight ahead with Megan O’Callaghan, Lauren McConville and Faye Fitzpatrick (two) adding to their lead. But Granemore answered back in the closing moments of the first half, with dangerous forward duo Corinna Doyle (two) and Merry finding the mark.

A Kellie Shields point from play and another Faye Fitzpatrick free moved Cross seven ahead, but Granemore closed out the first half in style to leave it a one-score game at the break. Katie Doyle got her first of the day, before Fiadhna Loughran raised a green flag on the stroke of half-time. Her initial shot was saved by Lauren Duffy, but she made no mistake on the rebound.

The first score of the second half went Granemore’s way with Merry converting from a free out on the right wing, but Crossmaglen cancelled that out with a Kellie Shields goal, which finished soccer-style from close range.

Merry landed another free in response, but Cross moved seven points ahead when Faye Fitzpatrick found the back of the net, finishing after an excellent run from Lauren McConville.

Merry replied with two points, one from play and one from a free, but Crossmaglen restored their advantage via a McConville point and another Faye Fitzpatrick free

Granemore battled to the bitter end to their credit, and they set up a tense finish by scoring the last five points through Lucy Doyle, Loughran, two from Merry and Aoibheann McClelland. They also had a goal chance when a Merry free dropped short and Kate Smyth attempted to find the net on the rebound but her effort went wide.

Instead, it was Crossmaglen’s day and there were scenes of jubilation on the full-time whistle, as they secured the Senior Championship title.

MATCH STATS

Crossmaglen: Lauren Duffy; Aveen Bellew, Riona McConville, Claragh Leneghan; Alanna McEntee, Blaithin O’Brien, Caitlin Leneghan; Ashlinn McMahon, Grace Fitzpatrick; Tina O’Reilly (0-2), Faye Fitzpatrick (1-7, 5f, 1’45), Megan O’Callaghan (0-1); Kellie Shields (1-1), Lauren McConville (0-2), Eva Cassidy.

Subs: Riona Leneghan.

Granemore: Ciarrai Devlin; Aileen Doyle, Aoibheann McClelland (0-1), Clodagh McClelland; Ciara Carr, Grainne McWilliams, Ailise McVeigh; Edel Haughey, Ciara Hill; Laura Carr, Jordan Carr, Katie Doyle (0-1); Fiadhna Loughran (1-1), Corinna Doyle (0-2), Rachael Merry (0-8, 4f).

Subs: Ellen Lavery, Lucy Doyle (0-1), Kate Smyth.

Referee: Lisa Bannon.