Offaly 3-14 Waterford 2-8:TWO GOALS in the space of two minutes in the second half finally broke Waterford's dogged resistance and helped Offaly secure their first ever Gala All-Ireland junior camogie title.
Elaine Darmody scored a goal and five points in the first half as Joachim Kelly’s side raced into a 1-11 to 0-4 half time lead.
But Waterford fought back and Patricia Jackman’s 35th minute goal cut the deficit to six points.
That was still the margin with 13 minutes still remaining, but Siobhán Flannery and Arlene Watkins shook the Waterford net to knock the stuffing out of the Déise girls, for whom Áine Lyng goaled late on.
OFFALY: A Kennedy; F Stephens, L Keena, K Brady; S Sullivan, M Morkan, L Sullivan; A Watkins 1-1, M Crean; A Kelly, E Darmody 1-6 (four frees), M Davis 0-3; T Hannon 0-1, K Nugent 0-1, S Flannery 1-2. Subs: J Brady for Flannery (56); A Corrigan for Kelly (60); E Dunne for Davis (60+3)
WATERFORD: A O’Brien; V Gaffney, S O’Grady, KM Hearne; G Kenneally, M O’Donnell, S Kiernan; M Murphy, C Raher; S Curran, K Kelly 0-2 (one free), N Morrissey 0-2 (one free); P Jackman 1-1, A Lyng 1-3 (two frees), A Breathnach. Subs: J Simpson for Curran (ht); A Kelly for Breathnach (53); M Russell for Gaffney (59)
Referee: P Walsh (Armagh)
