O’Hora leads Arravale Rovers to Junior A title

Arravale Rovers 2-12
Lattin-Cullen/Emly 2-6

Arravale Rovers recovered from conceding an early goal to produce a strong and composed performance as they claimed the Tipperary LGFA Camida Junior A Championship title with a six-point victory over Lattin-Cullen/Emly.

A hugely influential display from Ciara O’Hora, who finished with 1-6, provided the attacking platform for Arravale, while Eva Cremins’ second-half goal proved a telling blow as the eventual winners built up a lead which Lattin-Cullen/Emly were unable to reel in.

It was Lattin-Cullen/Emly who made the brighter start in front of goal. Lily Maher had opened the scoring for Arravale with a point after five minutes, but within a minute Caitlin Byrnes struck for the game’s opening goal to give Lattin-Cullen/Emly a 1-0 to 0-1 advantage.

Arravale’s response was impressive. O’Hora settled into the contest with a point from play and added another midway through the half to bring the sides level, 0-3 to 1-0.

Eva Cremins then edged Arravale ahead with a well-taken point as their confidence continued to grow. Lattin-Cullen/Emly, having made such a promising start, found scores increasingly difficult to come by as Arravale began to dictate proceedings.

The decisive moment of the opening half arrived approaching the half-hour mark when O’Hora found the net. Her goal moved Arravale four points clear at 1-4 to 1-0 and gave them a firm grip on the contest.

Sarah Duggan followed with another point before O’Hora completed an excellent opening half with a further score from play. That left Arravale Rovers six points to the good at the interval, 1-6 to 1-0.

There was no let-up from Arravale on the resumption, with O’Hora converting a free to stretch their advantage to seven.

Lattin-Cullen/Emly joint-captain Katie Cunningham finally ended a lengthy spell without a score when she converted a free, but O’Hora replied in kind to keep Arravale comfortably ahead.

Cunningham added another placed-ball score as Lattin-Cullen/Emly attempted to work their way back into contention, but Arravale continued to have an answer.

O’Hora landed another free before substitute Sarah Ryan made an immediate impact with a point from play, moving Arravale into a commanding 1-10 to 1-2 lead.

Cunningham continued to carry much of the scoring threat for Lattin-Cullen/Emly and converted another free, but Arravale were soon to land the score which effectively settled the outcome.

Nia Donovan first split the posts before Eva Cremins struck for Arravale’s second goal. Cremins’ finish pushed the winners into an imposing 2-11 to 1-3 advantage and left Lattin-Cullen/Emly with a mountain to climb.

To their credit, they refused to surrender.

Cunningham struck for a goal from a free to give her side renewed hope before Byrnes, scorer of their first-half goal, added two points from play in quick succession. Suddenly the deficit had been cut to six points at 2-11 to 2-5.

Arravale, however, remained composed when the pressure increased and substitute Sophia O’Grady steadied them with an important point from play.

Isabel Heuston registered the final score of the contest for Lattin-Cullen/Emly, but there was to be no late escape as Arravale safely negotiated the closing stages to secure a deserved 2-12 to 2-6 victory and the Junior A championship crown.

O’Hora’s contribution of 1-6 was central to the victory, but Arravale’s scoring spread was also significant. Cremins contributed 1-1, while Maher, Duggan and substitutes Ryan, Donovan and O’Grady all got on the scoresheet.

Lattin-Cullen/Emly were led by Cunningham with 1-3, while Byrnes contributed 1-2 and Heuston completed their tally.

SCORERS

Arravale Rovers: Ciara O’Hora 1-6 (0-3 frees), Eva Cremins 1-1, Lily Maher 0-1, Sarah Duggan 0-1, Sarah Ryan 0-1, Nia Donovan 0-1, Sophia O’Grady 0-1.

Lattin-Cullen/Emly: Katie Cunningham 1-3 (1-3 frees), Caitlin Byrnes 1-2, Isabel Heuston 0-1.

ARRAVALE ROVERS: Saoirse O’Dwyer; Molly Price, Emer Roche, Cassie Cremins; Kate Cremins, Abi Ryan, Aine O’Carroll; Caoimhe Hickey, Lily Maher; Ciara Ryan, Niamh Sharpe, Sarah Duggan; Faye O’Dwyer, Eva Cremins, Ciara O’Hora.
Subs used: Sarah Ryan for Molly Price, Rebecca Crosse for Kate Cremins. Nia Donovan and Sophia O’Grady also featured.

LATTIN-CULLEN/EMLY: Olivia Sheehy; Mary Leahy, Keah Morrissey, Maria Nash; Kate Leahy, Ciara Cunningham, Aine Hayes; Aine Carew, Isabel Heuston; Millie Kelly, Leah Carew, Therese Ryan; Gemma O Connell, Katie Cunningham, Caitlin Byrnes.
Sub used: Aoife Moran for Gemma O Connell.