Athleague will play in the AIB All-Ireland junior club camogie final but must wait to find out who their opposition will be after the second semi-final between Johnstownbridge (Kildare) and Clanmaurice (Kerry) fell foul of the heavy rain.

The Roscommon champions showed plenty of determination in the second half to fend off Antrim representatives Loughgiel Shamrocks, prevailing by 2-8 to 0-5 in Miltown.

Ultimately, the difference between the two teams lay in how well they utilised the elements, with Athleague cashing in on the strong wind to a more considerable degree.

Mind you, Loughgiel would have been satisfied with the first-quarter efforts, as they trailed by only two points at that juncture, but a 20th minute goal by Leanne Kelly was crucial in giving Athleague a bit of breathing space.

Kelly, Rebecca Brennan and Annette McGeeney also registered white flags and at half time, it was 1-4 to 0-2.

It was questionable whether that advantage would be sufficient given the strength of the wind but the Shamrocks just could not do enough to threaten the excellent Athleague defence despite the efforts of Kirsty McEndry, Susanne McKeown and Finnola McVeigh.

Indeed, it was the victors who carried more of an attacking threat and Fiona Connell Jones registered their second goal five minutes after the restart.

That gave them plenty to defend and with Kelly Hopkins clocking up three points from frees and Rachel Fitzmaurice also getting in on the scoring act, Athleague made it through comfortably.

They will be hoping to go one better than fellow Roscommon side Four Roads, who were beaten in last year's All-Ireland final by Kilmessan of Meath, while emulating the same club's feat in becoming the first and only Roscommon club to win an All-Ireland camogie title having garnered the junior championship in 2010.

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