Women's Junior Final - London 5-5 Derry 1-11:LONDON'S LINDA Lodge was a hat-trick heroine at Croke Park yesterday as she paved the way for victory.
The Exiles claimed their first junior title since 1993. London, who had lost in the final to Kilkenny last year, gave a resilient second-half performance to ensure Meath-native Sinead Daly lifted the trophy.
Derry pointed through Kathy Conway after 18 seconds, but goals from Deirdre O'Riordáin and Lodge powered London to a 2-1 to 0-1 lead after five and a half minutes. A second goal from Lodge in the 14th minute gave her side a 3-3 to 0-5 interval lead, with Conway, Shauna McCallion, Ashleen Kealey and captain Louise Glass keeping Derry in touch.
When Lodge landed her hat-trick in the 37th minute it opened up a nine-point gap. Although Derry substitute Sinead Cassidy goaled with 13 minutes remaining, it was cancelled out by Hannah Noonan.
LONDON:R Cusack; A Murphy, S Daly, R McEvoy; L Tighe, M Jordan, N Keane; N OConnor (0-1), AM Mohan (0-1); H Noonan (1-2), S Keogh (0-1, free), C Towey; D O'Riordain (1-0), L Lodge (3-0), B White. Subs: A McGillicuddy for Towey (46 mins); G Taylor for Tighe (58 mins); C Holland for ORiordain (60+4 mins)
DERRY:B Cassidy; N Doherty, N OHagan, N McMullan; D McMaster, U Harkin, C Lagan; MA Conway, K Conway (0-2); J McLaughlin, A Kealey (0-1), S McCallion (0-4, two frees); U Mullan, L Glass (0-1), A McCusker. Subs: M McAteer (0-1) for McLaughlin (11 mins); E Doherty for N Doherty (32 mins); S Vallelly (0-1) for Kealey (32 mins); S Cassidy (1-1, one free) for Mullan (40 mins); C Doherty for Lagan (40 mins).
Referee:Keith Delahunty (Tipperary).
