Killimor keen to make the most of final opportunity

NATIONALLY, some would have you believe that the All-Ireland Senior Club Camogie title was settled last month but a contest to determine the destination of the Bill Carroll Cup will take place on Sunday at Croke Park (3.15pm).

In a showdown between the winners of the previous four All-Ireland titles, Milford edged out reigning holders Oulart-The-Ballagh by 1-9 to 1-8 to book their place in the decider.

In Anna Geary and Ashling Thompson, they have two household names who have been the most recent holders of the O’Duffy Cup. And throughout the field, the Cork champions provide danger as they seek their third national title. That being said, John Brudair and his management team won’t be leaving anything to chance.

Before the above mentioned four All-Irelands, Killimor commenced their own amazing story with a first county title in 2010.  Written off, they outfought Oulart-The-Ballagh in a memorable semi-final before producing one of the great Galway displays in headquarters with an emphatic 3-18 to 1-4 victory over Inniscarra in the 2011 final.

Tommy Callagy’s charges would add two more county crowns before conceding to Ardrahan and Mullagh. But their 2-5 to 1-6 win over Ardrahan last November returned the East Galway side to glory and they are determined to remind onlookers about their ranking.

Deservedly, Milford are strong favourites for Sunday’s game and their dominant 3-6 to 1-6 win over Killimor in the 2013 final helps to give them that rating. They have suffered just one defeat in four years.

But with miles on the clock, the margins are not as defining. They only defeated Ardrahan by one point in 2014 before their winning streak was derailed by Mullagh last year.

Many felt Killimor were gone and there weren’t too many willing punters when they suffered two reversals in the group stages. But quietly, they hung in, accounting for St. Thomas’ and Athenry to book their final spot. And in mucky conditions, two Susan Keane goals ensured them a fourth local celebration.

They continued to progress in the All-Ireland semi-final with a 2-7 to 1-5 win over Loughgiel Shamrocks. It wasn’t without fault but as the ground improves, Killimor are nicely placed to put in one more push for their second title.

Full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune.