Kilkerrin/Clonberne ladies complete the three-in-a-row in emphatic fashion

Kilkerrin/Clonberne 3-16

Claregalway 0-10

John Mulligan in Corofin

ON the form of both sides coming into this Galway ladies football senior final, one have been forgiven for thinking that Kilkerrin/Clonberne would wrap this game up comfortably and win at a canter.

While the scoreline suggests a commanding win for the defending county and Connacht champions, it would be unfair to say that this was one sided. Three goals in the space of nine minutes ultimately killing off a brave Claregalway display in front of a great crowd in Corofin on Sunday.

In fact, this game will probably not be described as a classic by any stretch. Kilkerrin/Clonberne just seemed to have that little bit extra throughout the hour. However, their management team know well that they will have to raise their game against a Carnacon side that will be gunning for revenge following last year’s epic Connacht final which the Galway women won by a point.

Claregalway had set out their intentions early with two good points from the impressive Ellie Glynn and Deirdre Brennan and with Kilkerrin/Clonberne struggling to get their game going in those early minutes, Claregalway were good for another score or two only to be denied by some good defending with Sarah Gormally and Aoife McStay excelling. McStay earning the wrath of the referee on one occasion.

Speaking of referee John Tracey, his use of common sense and smart refereeing deserves a mention. It was the 14-year-old Chloe Miskill who would get the scoring underway for the defending champions and this started a six point scoring run without reply.

Annette Clarke, Clare Dunleavy, Lisa Gannon and Olivia Divilly all got on the scoresheet and while Deirdre Brennan and Siobhan Gavin were doing all they could, it would be 16th minute before Brennan would add to Claregalway’s total.

Claregalway threatened with every opportunity, but found Kilkerrin/Clonberne to be made of stern stuff. At the other end, Chloe Miskill was put through only to be denied by an outstanding block by Orla Dixon who put her body on the line to send the ball for a 45. Subsequently, Clarke was on target.

The ever reliable Clarke was outstanding at this stage while the Divilly sisters created havoc when in possession. For Claregalway, Siobhan Gavin fired over two points to keep her side in the game but again it was Miskill who ran the show, her determination creating scores for Dunleavy and Gannon as the half-tim whistle blew, moments after Megan Glynn had closed the gap to seven points with a fine score.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.