Late heartbreak for Kilkerrin/Clonberne in final replay

Carnacon 4-10

Kilkerrin/Clonberne 2-13

TWO late goals last Sunday saw Kilkerrin/Clonberne’s provincial dreams shattered thanks to Cora Staunton and Amy Dowling. This Connacht Senior Ladies Football Final replay promised excitement and didn’t lack any drama as the Galway champions saw a four-point lead wiped out.

Carnacon went 15 minutes without scoring before Dowling left them 2-10 to 2-9 in arrears with six minutes remaining. But Kilkerrin/Clonberne drove for the line as Nicola Ward, Olivia Divilly and Caoimhe Boyle all hit the target to create a four-point cushion with as many minutes left.

This replay didn’t have as many goals, cards or penalties as the previous instalment but delivered a memorable finish no matter what angle you look at it. Carnacon’s Martha Carter was sin-binned on 48 minutes giving Kilkerrin/Clonberne numerical advantage to pull clear.

As the Mayo defender was getting ready to return, Kilkerrin/Clonberne were struck a blow with captain Louise Ward receiving her marching orders. What was surprising was that Ward didn’t commit a foul of note over the game so her yellow card looked a harsh decision.

Marie Corbett reduced the deficit but on 60 minutes Staunton’s low strike wasn’t caught cleanly by Lisa Murphy for the equalising goal to level at 2-13 to 3-10. The momentum was with Carnacon and Dowling was allowed space in injury time to shoot the match winning goal.

After the drawn match and the national media spotlight regarding Staunton’s 4-13 tally, the anticipation for this encounter was at fever pitch and the intensity never dropped.

Full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune