Gallant Kilkerrin/Clonberne fall to heartbreaking loss in thriller

Mourneabbey (Cork)  2-9

Kilkerrin/Clonberne 0-14

IN sporting terms, this was one of the greatest manifestations of cruelty. Kilkerrin/Clonberne looked to have defied the odds, in every respect, in this thrilling All-Ireland club senior ladies’ football final, but with just seconds left on the clock, the dream of a famous victory was stolen from them.

Kilkerrin/Clonberne had pinned reigning champions Mourneabbey inside their own half for most of the second period and, it seemed, they were destined to not only overcome the bookmakers’ odds, but the various setbacks they had to endure throughout the contest.

However, in a rare — and late — foray forward, involving Bríd O’Sullivan and Dublin star Noelle Healy, Mourneabbey worked the ball into the hands of Laura Fitzgerald, who turned and kicked a sensational point to secure a one-point win and back-to-back national titles.

With just 15 seconds left on the clock, there was no time for the Galway women to reply, although Louise Ward did look to attack from midfield on the resulting kickout, only for the All-Star to be rugby tackled to the ground by Mourneabbey’s Doireann O’Sullivan.

A smiling O’Sullivan was yellow carded for the offence but, in truth, how the full-forward was not sinbinned earlier beggars belief given, among the fouls she committed, she had already been penalised for checking Ward’s runs.

Then again, this was a wholly inconsistent display from Cavan referee Maggie Farrelly and her handling of this fixture left a lot to be desired. In particular, her failure to deal with the physicality and cynicism Mourneabbey brought to proceedings, especially in relation to the treatment Ward received from the opposition, was a poor reflection on her officialdom.

Clearly targeted, Ward received eight frees in the game — there were a couple of other instances where she was not protected — and yet no Mourneabbey player saw yellow until the other O’Sullivan, Ciara, was sinbinned with seven minutes remaining.

The free count was 30 to 17 in Kilkerrin/Clonberne’s favour at this stage and, while some might argue this was to the Galway women’s benefit, it underlined the cynicism Mourneabbey brought to the contest as they continually fouled in an effort to disrupt the losers’ rhythm.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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