Cavan Minor Camogie headed to the Garden County on Saturday 21st March to play Wicklow in Minor C All Ireland Series at Ballinkill Centre of Excellence, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow.  The sun was shining, the venue was impressive and the game was fixed for 2pm.

Wicklow started determined and put a goal on the score board within 2 minutes.  However, Cavan were just as determined and good play up front from Ciara Finnegan, Sarah Bagnall and Shannon O'Flynn saw Sarah Bagnall open Cavan's scoring with a well taken point from play 8 minutes in. Both sides battled, but Cavan's defence was strong in Ciara Shalvey, Aishling Creegan and Katie Reilly, who worked tirelessly throughout.  12 Minutes in, Cavan took the lead with a well taken free from young Niamh Reilly, 20 metres out, which went in high and dropped under the crossbar to give Cavan their first goal.  Cavan were awarded another free, which Niamh Reilly elegantly put over the bar.  Wicklow were on the attach again and scored two points from play, followed by a point from a 45.  The battle continued midfield, Cavan gained possession and a good pass from Emer Fitzpatrick to Niamh Reilly resulted in a point.

Wicklow once again worked their way up the field but were unable to maintain possession as they met a solid Cavan defence: Rebecca Fitzsimons, Lauren Ellis and Linda Murtagh, all on form and giving nothing.  Five Minutes to the break and an excellent long ball in from Shannon Maguire, saw Sarah Bagnall rattle the back of the Wicklow net.  Annie Smith was steady in goals throughout, pulling off an excellent save in the closing minutes of the first half.  A Wicklow free going over the bar left the half-time score: Cavan 2-3, Wicklow 1-4.

Cavan introduced 2 subs at half-time: Suzanne Cusack for Linda Murtagh and Katie Boyle for Shannon O'Flynn.   Cavan emerged even more determined with Ciara Finnegan covering ground on top form and Niamh Reilly scored a point within 2 minutes. Wicklow introduced 3 subs, put pressure on Cavan and missing the target once but were quick to regain possession  and scored a goal, leaving the sides level for the first time, 39 minutes in.

Both skilled teams displayed good camogie all over the field, as all was to play for, with tireless work from Captain- Aine Finnegan and Shannon Maguire.  A Cavan free from Maguire via Emer Fitzpatrick reached Michaela Leddy, who made no mistake and scored a goal 45 minutes in.   Cavan gained momentum now and introduced subs Louise Fitzpatrick for Michaela Leddy and Amy Cusack for Emer Fitzpatrick.   Suzanne Cusack worked well in defence to maintain Cavan's one goal lead, with only five minutes remaining on the clock. But Niamh Reilly had much more to give, scoring a point from play to follow with a point from a free, Cavan looked secure, however, skilled Niamh Reilly was not finished yet and  scored another fine goal before the final whistle, leaving her personal tally for the day at 2-5.

Cavan Team: Annie Smith, Ciara Shalvey,  Aisling Creegan,  Linda Murtagh,  Katie Reilly,  Rebecca Fitzsimons,  Lauren Ellis, Shannon Maguire, Aine Finnegan (Capt.),  Michaela Leddy (1-0), Emer Fitzpatrick, Shannon O'Flynn,  Niamh Reilly (2-5), Ciara Finnegan and  Sarah Bagnall (1-1) Subs: Suzanne Cusack for Linda Murtagh (half-time), Katie Boyle for Shannon O'Flynn (half-time), Louise Fitzpatrick for Michaela Leddy (50m), Amy Cusack for Emer Fitzpatrick (55m)
Shannon Leddy (inj).

Management: Marie Brady, Marie S Brady & Catriona Byrd.

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