A hat-trick from Ciara Quirke inspired Carlow to a nine-point victory Armagh which saw them clinch the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Premier Junior Final at Croke Park.

Quirke's first goal came in the opening half with Armagh's Colette McSorley responding with a goal of her own to leave the game delicately poised at 1-5 to 1-4 at the interval in favour of the Leinster side.

Quirke's second came just after the break and Carlow's 16-year-old substitute Rachel Sawyer began tormenting the Amagh defence, adding a fortuitous goal of her own midway through the second half.

Armagh fought bravely and scored a brilliantly worked goal from Ciara Donnelly.

With four minute's remaining Quirke completed her hat-trick to put the game out of the Orchard team's reach.

Online Editors