Kilkerrin/Clonberne hit new high in dethroning champs

THEY kept going until they got there. Kilkerrin/Clonberne’s decade-long journey to reach ladies football’s promised land is finally over.

The new senior All-Ireland club champions covered themselves in glory by producing a magnificent team display in ending the reign of Mourneabbey at St Brendan’s Park, Birr on Saturday.

And making a landmark triumph more special is that Willie Ward’s pioneers were banishing some big-day demons when, at last, turning the tables on their famed Cork rivals.

Three times in the past these clubs’ paths have crossed and the result was always the same. Mourneabbey knew how to close the deal against their persistent and gallant challengers from the West.

That trend was expected to continue at the traditional home of Offaly hurling. Afterall, Mourneabbey had ripped the heart out of Meath’s Dunboyne on a 6-17 to 0-5 scoreline in the All-Ireland semi-final and looked as good as ever.

But Kilkerrin/Clonberne were undaunted. They had been steeled by those previous defeats and backed themselves to break new ground on Saturday. There was no fear of Mourneabbey; no playing it safe; no hoping for the best. They had the confidence to go out and just do it.

Player of the Match Olivia Divilly articulated as much in her post-match interviews. Kilkerrin/Clonberne felt that they had left a great opportunity behind them in the final two years when losing by a point. They had only themselves to blame.

Saturday presented the opportunity for the team which has been dominating Galway and provincial ladies football for years to confirm that attitude, and how they grasped it with both hands.

Kilkerrin/Clonberne did many great things in Birr but holding Mourneabbey scoreless from play until 10 minutes from the end underlined a herculean defensive effort. Chloe Costello, Sarah Gormally, Claire Dunleavy, and Nicola Ward were like vultures around a carcass. They just wouldn’t go away.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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