Cavan continued their perfect start to this year’s Glen Dimplex All‑Ireland Premier Junior Championship with a determined four‑point win away to Kildare in Hawkfield.
On a hot afternoon in North Kildare, the hosts pushed Cavan to their limits, leading by two points at half‑time before Cavan used the wind and their experience to grind out a 0–16 to 1–9 victory.
Kildare got off to the ideal start when Aoife Steins pointed inside the opening 30 seconds. Cavan responded through an Eimear Brady free, but Kildare quickly took control.
Their top scorer, free‑taker and centre‑half forward, Caoimhe Ní Bhurchalla, sent over a free in the second minute, sparking a run of four unanswered scores.
The second of those was a crucial goal. Cavan lost possession on their own 45, and the ball was worked inside to Aoife McDermott, who finished low past Michelle Ennis to give Kildare a 1–4 to 0–1 lead after 15 minutes.
Cavan were second best in most areas early on, struggling at midfield and coughing up possession cheaply.
However, they settled in the second quarter. Shanice Fitzsimons struck two superb points from the sideline in the 18th and 21st minutes, narrowing the gap.
McDermott added another point for Kildare, but Cavan hit three-in-a-row. One from Róisín O’Keefe and two frees from Brady, including an excellent effort from the 45‑metre line near the side-line.
Kildare thought they had extended their lead when Ní Bhurchalla appeared to land a 46‑metre free.
However, after consultation the referee overruled the umpire, leaving the score at 1–5 to 0–6.
Cavan nearly snatched a goal before the break when Emma Plunkett got through, but her effort drifted wide, leaving Cavan two points down at half‑time.
Kildare opened the second half with another long‑range free from Ní Bhurchalla.
Cavan fightback for victory
However, Cavan responded impressively with three points in a row. One from Fitzsimons and two well‑taken scores from O’Keefe, to level the game after eight minutes.
McDermott nudged Kildare back in front, but from there Cavan took over. Brady hit three consecutive points, one from play, a close‑range free, and a superbly struck 65, to push Cavan two ahead.
Niamh Keenahan then added a brilliant point from the left wing, 40 metres out, stretching the lead to three.
Ní Bhurchalla kept Kildare in touch with another free, but Keenahan replied immediately with her second of the day.
With six minutes remaining, Róisín Ford pointed for Kildare to make it 1–9 to 0–14, but Cavan finished the stronger.
A dangerous effort from Fitzsimons was tipped over the bar by Kildare goalkeeper and Captain Róisín Roach, resulting in a 45 that Brady converted.
Brady then added her eighth score of the afternoon, a 20‑metre free to seal a deserved four‑point win. Cavan winning out 16 points to 1-9.
