Kilkerrin-Clonberne have defended their All Ireland title with a 13 points to 7 win over Monaghan's Donaghmoyne.
As Kilkerrin-Clonberne etched their names into history once again as title winners, it was not the only historical part of the day.
The first club championship in ladies football was held in 1977 and just shy of five decades later the GAA gave permission for the final to be played on the biggest stage in football, Croke Park.
In his pre match interview, Donaghmoyne manager Francie Coleman said “it’s after time the game is here in Croke Park”.
Undoubtedly, when it was announced in October that finals would be played at GAA HQ, it instilled more determination to teams throughout their provincial games with Donaghmoyne, who have 5 titles to their name, expressing how the opportunity to win in Croke Park this year was certainly a motivation.
Both teams on Saturday have accumulated significant silverware over the years and their playing experience was never doubted. Together, they have amassed 30 county championships, 21 provincial finals and 6 All Ireland titles.
But Kilkerrin-Clonberne proved too strong for the Donaghmoyne side and within the opening 5 minutes Eva Noone, Chloe Miskell, Olivia Divilly and captain Louise Ward had together kicked 4 unanswered points for the Galway side. It was not until the 11th minute that Donaghmoyne's wing forward Amy Garland got her side on the scoreboard.
The experience of Donaghmoyne began to show, with influential Cora Courtney slotting over several superb points.
There were a couple of nervous moments for Kilkerrin-Clonberne either side of the first-quarter mark, but a second point from Louise Ward helped to ease any nerves the Tribeswomen might have been experiencing.
However, Kilkerrin-Clonberne never seemed rattled, and attacking duo Noone and Divilly brought their side to 8 points to Donaghmoyne's 3 going into half time.
Olivia Divilly and Chloe Miskell added to their tally after the break, but the Galway side then saw defender Hannah Noone sent to the sin bin moments later.
In her absence, Donaghmoyne's Cathriona McConnell slotted over a superb score, and Lauren Garland rattled the cross bar but ultimately they didn't do enough with their advantage with Kilkerrin-Clonberne's Miskell adding 2 points and putting her team in a very strong position before Noone's return in the 50th minute.
With the final whistle approaching, Divilly once again split the posts to put 9 points between the sides. Although it was not enough, Donaghmoyne finished strong with successive scores from Rosemary and Cora Courtney, but Kilkerrin-Clonberne were the jubilant side when the whistle blew, with a six-point triumph and their All Ireland title safely defended.
Lán Ama
Comhghairdeas le Cill Choirín Cluain Bheirn - Craobh Sinsir na hÉireann buaite acu don dara bhliain as a chéile! 🏆@KClgfa #GAA #LGFA #ProperFan@GAA_BEO | @LadiesFootball | @currentacc_ie
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/Q8frNG6kV0— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 10, 2022
The positive message delivered by providing this visibility and standards can not be underestimated. For young girls watching yesterday, it will evoke dreams of playing there themselves in the future and show them that their efforts and commitment to the sport will be met with the same respect as their male counterparts.
Olivia Divilly was awarded Laoch na hImeartha for her phenomenal performance scoring a total of 5 points.
Lán Ama
“We all love each other so much and would do anything to get over the line”
Is í Olivia Divilly Laoch na hImeartha inniu! - Comhghairdeas leat Olivia! 🏆@KClgfa #GAA #LGFA #ProperFan@GAA_BEO | @LadiesFootball | @currentacc_ie
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/dQ2sAaRs2U— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 10, 2022
TG4 have been fantastic supporters of ladies football and showcasing the games on the biggest stage possible is a really positive step forward on what was a fantastic day of football.
Scorers – Kilkerrin-Clonberne: O Divilly 0-5 (3f), C Miskell 0-4, L Ward 0-2, E Noone (f), L Noone 0-1 each. Donaghmoyne: C Courtney 0-3, R Courtney 0-2, A Garland, C McConnell 0-1 each.
Kilkerrin-Clonberne: L Murphy; C Costello, S Gormally, C Dunleavy; K Mee, N Ward, H Noone; S Divilly, L Finnegan; O Divilly, L Ward, L Noone; E Noone, A Morrissey, C Miskell.
Subs: N Divilly for Finnegan (47), S Fahy for Mee (52), M Flanagan for L Noone (53), Caitlin Boyle for Morrissey (58), Caoimhe Boyle for Miskell (59).
Donaghmoyne: L Martin; J Geoghegan, N Callan, A Callan; F Courtney, S Courtney, E Traynor; C Courtney, E McElroy; A Garland, R Courtney, S McConnell; C McConnell, L Garland, A Burns.
Subs: G Comiskey for A Burns, A McElroy for S McConnell (both 53), D Collier for A Callan, J Courtney for Geoghegan, S Burns for A Garland (all 59).
Ref – Jonathan Murphy (Carlow).
