Kilkerrin/Clonberne power home despite Ward’s injury

Kilkerrin/Clonberne 0-14

Claregalway 2-2

Ivan Smyth in Annaghdown

THE best teams always find a way to win and Kilkerrin/Clonberne did just that as they outlasted a determined Claregalway outfit to land a staggering ninth county title in a row.

This was arguably their toughest title yet as they were forced to recover from two early sucker punches when their defence was breached twice, before Claregalway spent much of the second half with 13 players behind the ball.

Kilkerrin/Clonberne managed to grind out a win despite losing captain Louise Ward to a shoulder injury in the opening half. Chloe Miskell was subsequently moved from full forward to the forty as her influence grew on the game.

Claregalway are closing the gap on Willie Ward’s all conquering outfit after losing to them by 10 points in the final two years ago, while falling to a nine point defeat in 2020. With these sides meeting at this stage for the fifth time in seven years, they are undoubtedly the two top teams in the county.

Although they only conceded four points in the second half, Claregalway failed to find the target themselves in the concluding period of action. The Kilkerrin/Clonberne defence must be commended for their tenacity as they recovered from a shaky opening quarter to concede just one point after the first water break. The second half saw the defending Connacht champions dominate possession and territory, but they struggled without the direct running of Ward.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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