Gala All-Ireland Junior Camogie Championship (Nancy Murray Cup) Play Off Kildare 0-7 Roscommon 0-10   Kildare's interest in this year's All Ireland camogie championship drew to a frustrating close last Saturday (2nd Aug) in Cappagh when a resilient Roscommon side got the better of the Lilywhites.    The game was level at half time on six points piece. On the turnaround, Kildare had the benefit for the wind and also succeeded in gaining the majority possession.    On a normal day this combination is usually enough to carry teams to the final whistle. Unfortunately, possession on its own does not win games. Despite earnest efforts it just wasn't happening for the Kildare forwards.   Roscommon weren't very prolific either. Neither side registered a score for the first quarter of the second half. Kildare were restricted to two scoring forwards and a second half tally of a single point and thirteen wides tells its own frustrating story for the Lilywhites.    Roscommon were consistently competitive and often beat the Kildare player to the ball. Their game also appeared to have a bit more momentum and during a short spell in the final quarter they strung together three points. This was sufficient for them to get to the semi final where they now to meet Armagh.   Roscommon are a side that like to take on defences and run at them. Annette McGeeney and Kelly Hopkins have great pace and. along with Clare Curley, were involved in several of the Roscommon moves that created scores. However, the Kildare defence were once again outstanding. Hazel Mulligan and Lorraine Bowes have brought vision, good tackling and safe clearances to the line and they were exceptionally supported again by the ever green Melanie Treacy. Niamh Breen has been around the Kildare side for a number of years. This season she has made the No. 2 jersey her own and demonstrated again her work rate and skill on the ball against the Rossies.   The Kildare midfield struggled somewhat in the first half to find any rhythm but when Siobhan Hurley swopped positions with Ciara Tallon, with the latter moving to centre forward the game opened up a bit more for the Lillies. Orla Bambury was picking up a lot of breaking ball and feeding it to the fowards where Clodagh Farrell and Susie O'Carroll in particicular were recipients. But Roscommon are tight markers and were adept at breaking up attacks and denying space. This resulted in much of Kildare's work being blocked and cleared or the forwards being put under enough pressure to force shots wide.  A number of the Kildare efforts fell short or fell cleanly to the Roscommon keeper Caroline Connaughton who brought off a number of good catches and clearences.   At the final whistle, Kildare had no complaints and it with so many wides it was a case of  'what if'.   However, the players, management, clubs and county board will take a lot of positives from the season. The team competed well in all competitions and undoubtedly improved over the season. Several players tasted intercounty action for the first time and the with the success of the under 16s and minors Kildare camogie can look forward to 2009 with optimism.   In the meantime, the local action takes a break until Round 2 of Senior Club Championship recommences on 18th August with Celbridge and St. Laurence's the main focus. Celbridge's loss to Clane in Round 1 adds  a bit of spice to this and Celbridge will be attempting to earn this first championship win this year.   Kildare: Roisin O'Connell, Niamh Breen, Lizzie Finnegan, Aoife Trant, Hazel Mulligan, Melanie Treacy, Lorraine Bowes, Ciara Tallon, Orla Bambury, Clodagh Farrell, Caroline Forde, Siobhan Hurley (0-1), Susie O'Carroll ((0-6: 0-1 45m; 0-3f), Reiltin Treacy, Regina Gorman. Subs used: Clodagh Flangan for Clodagh Farrell, Clare Doran for Ciara Tallon, Ruth Treacy for Reiltin Treacy, Cliodhan McSweeney for Regina Gorman. Tweet

Most Read Stories