Laois Camogie team make strong start with opening day win over Wicklow

Laois began their Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Premier Junior Championship campaign in impressive fashion with a composed and commanding victory over Wicklow at Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Saturday afternoon.

A blistering start set the tone for Laois, who raced into a three-point lead within the opening three minutes. Kaylee O’Keeffe opened the scoring inside the first 30 seconds, quickly followed by Kirsten Keenan and a second from O’Keeffe, as the hosts looked sharp from the off.

Laois 2-14

Wicklow 2-6

Wicklow’s first point came in the fifth minute courtesy of Shannagh Goetelen, but Laois dominated the remainder of the half. Four points without reply followed for the home side, with Aimee Collier, Susie Delaney, and Eimear Hassett, after a brilliant block by Grainne Delaney, all finding the target. Liadan C-Fennell rounded out the scoring spree as Laois had seven different scorers on the board early on.

Aoife Nic Dhonnacca managed Wicklow’s only other first-half point, but it was Laois who closed the half in control. Susie Delaney added her second, and Collier knocked over a free before a puck-out error from Wicklow goalkeeper Leane Lifely gifted Hassett a golden goal chance. Her lobbed effort clipped the top of the crossbar and went over for a point rather than under. Collier added her third point from a placed ball to send Laois into the break with a commanding 0-11 to 0-2 lead.

The second half began in explosive fashion for Laois. Within three minutes, they had struck twice to the back of the net. First, Eimear Hassett turned provider for Collier to rattle home a well-taken goal. Moments later, Fiona Scully teed up her Camross clubmate Kirsten Keenan for Laois' second major. When Susie Delaney added another point to stretch the lead to 2-12 to 0-2, the result looked beyond doubt.

To their credit, Wicklow kept battling and found a breakthrough when a powerful run by Goetelen led to Elizabeth Bourke finishing to the net. Aobha Harman and Nic Dhonnacca added further scores to give the visitors some hope. Collier responded with another free, bringing her personal tally to 1-5.

Wicklow finished strongly, adding a goal from Aishling O’Toole after a late goalmouth scramble, but it only served to narrow the gap. Laois were never seriously threatened and saw out the game to secure a valuable opening win.

Laois will travel to Roscommon in two weeks for round two.