Kilkerrin/Clonberne get job done in sealing final place

Kilkerrin/Clonberne 2-8

Donaghmoyne 0-8

Darren Kelly in Clonberne

KILKERRIN/Clonberne’s journey back to an All-Ireland senior ladies football final was completed on Sunday as they overcame Monaghan’s Donaghmoyne to book a meeting with reigning title holders Mourneabbey on Saturday week.

Two first half Nicola Ward goals was the difference in an affair cagey on occasions, but blessed with massive moments.

Twenty-two months on from an agonising one-point defeat in their only All-Ireland final appearance, Kilkerrin/Clonberne have negotiated two domestic and provincial campaigns along with Covid-19.

But while the Munster outfit were lethal in their 6-17 to 0-5 demolition of Meath’s Dunboyne in the other semi-final, it’s a challenge manager Willie Ward and his team will relish.

While tested by Claregalway in the county final and partially by Glencar/Manorhamilton in the Connacht decider, this was expected to be Kilkerrin/Clonberne’s toughest outing and they gave it the respect it deserved.

Donaghmoyne contained 11 All-Ireland winners from 2016 (most with five medals in their back pocket) and were looking to go one better than their 2019 semi-final loss.

The opening stages were tight, with both teams sizing each other up before the impending battle. And this game was literally about who twisted first.

Ailish Morrissey has been doing that regularly for Kilkerrin/Clonberne and she got them off the mark on seven minutes. Eva Noone’s industry and distribution was a highlight and she picked out Morrissey in the corner who took on Joanne Geoghegan before converting.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.