ALL-IRELAND JUNIOR CAMOGIE FINAL Waterford 2-11 Down 1-13:WATERFORD held off a remarkable late comeback from Down to secure the All-Ireland premier junior camogie championship at the third time of asking, having fallen at the final hurdle the last two years.
Goals from Ruth Geoghegan and Karen Kelly helped the Suirsiders into a 2-8 to 0-5 interval lead. Niamh Rockett also drove a shot over off the top of the crossbar. Kelly and Trish Jackman added points to extend the lead to 11 points but a spirited Down refused to submit.
Catherine McGourty and the electric Niamh Mallon helped the Ulster side hit eight points in succession. Rockett ended a 17-minute scoreless period to put four between them with a minute remaining. That was to prove crucial as Down sub Nicola Braniff scored a goal in injury time.
WATERFORD: A O'Brien; E Hannon, J Simpson, KM Hearne; S Kiernan, C Raher, G Kenneally; P Jackman (0-2), D Fahey; N Rockett (0-2), N Morrissey, A Hannon; R Geoghegan (1-1), K Kelly (1-5, 0-4 frees), Z O'Donoghue (0-1). Subs: J McCarthy for A Hannon (34 mins).
DOWN: K Fegan; O Maginn, C McGovern, E McCormick; P Gribbin, F Carr (0-2, frees), K Tinnelly; L McPolin (0-1), K McMullan (0-1); C McGourty (0-5, 0-3 frees, 0-1 45), L McCrickard, K O'Higgins (0-1); N Mallon (0-3), SL Carr, K Gribbin. Subs: L Hughes for McCormick (half-time); N Braniff (1-0) for McCrickard (47 mins).
Referee: W Cole(Cork).
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)