Kilkerrin-Clonberne set nine in-a-row provincial record

Galway club continue dominance of Connacht

Kilkerrin-Clonberne 1-15

Knockmore 1-7

By Darren Kelly

At Tuam Stadium

THE Kilkerrin-Clonberne ladies brought their unbeaten run to 60 games on Sunday as the Galway club added another Connacht Senior Football Championship title to their vast collection.

This was their ninth consecutive provincial crown, beating Carnacon’s eight in-a-row between 2006 and '13. And it was also the first time that Willie Ward’s charges won Connacht on Galway soil.

The scoreboard looked relatively comfortable in Kilkerrin-Clonberne's favour, but they will have learned plenty, seeing their lead halved to four points early in the second period in what was easily their toughest Connacht assignment this decade.

Knockmore’s performance will give other contenders hope, including Leinster champions Kilmacud Crokes or Longford Slashers who visit Clonberne for an All-Ireland semi-final at the end of the month. They opened gaps in the opposing defence on multiple occasions and just needed some luck to convert early chances.

In saying that, however, this was the test the reigning All-Ireland champions needed after coasting through their previous six assignments with an average 20-point winning margin. When needed, they upped the tempo to ensure zero threat to their number one standing.

Lisa Murphy was assured in goal while Hannah Noone and Nicola Ward excelled in defence. So too did Niamh Divilly in midfield with Olivia Divilly, Louise Ward and Eva Noone leading the attack. Kilkerrin-Clonberne always had another gear.

Amy O’Connor opened the scoring for Knockmore in the first minute, but that was the only time they led. The 14 in-a-row Galway champions patiently built up their initial attack before being rewarded with Eva Noone supplying Louise Ward to calmly stroke home their goal on three minutes.

It began the winners' best spell with a further six points coming by the 18th minute. Olivia Divilly, after earlier pointing from play, put four placed balls between the posts and was also supplier for an Eva Noone score.

Kilkerrin-Clonberne were 1-6 to 0-1 clear but Knockmore were closer in the possession stats. One near breakthrough on 11 minutes saw Nina McVann and Shauna Howley set up O’Connor for an opportunity as she forced a double stop from Murphy and Nicola Ward.

Frank Mulvihill’s team were starting to match their opponents and had stayed within eight points by the break. Howley and O’Connor reduced arrears to six while Eva Noone and Olivia Divilly both profited from Niamh Divilly’s industry for a 1-8 to 0-3 advantage to Kilkerrin-Clonberne.

The pace of this final rapidly accelerated as Hannah Reape converted for Knockmore on three minutes. Eva Noone hit back immediately before Howley produced the score of the game as the former Mayo forward blasted to the net for Knockmore’s goal. When Lara Sweeney added a point from distance, it was 1-9 to 1-5 in favour of Kilkerrin-Clonberne.

The noise levels increased among both sets of engaged supporters. Kilkerrin-Clonberne had no issues raising their game when required. Louise Ward picked out sister Nicola for a 43rd minute point. Niamh Divilly followed that with a brace of scores, supplied by Nicola Ward and Ailish Morrissey. Nicola Ward nearly killed off the game when her strike bounced off the crossbar in the 48th minute.

Caitlin Boyle, immediately after coming on, was denied by keeper Grace Naughton but Niamh Divilly’s third point with eight minutes remaining had Kilkerrin-Clonberne 1-13 to 1-5 clear.

They closed out the game even if Knockmore kept pushing and had one more goal chance that was blocked by Siobhán Divilly. Points for the Mayo champions came from Howley and Sweeney, while Eva Noone and Olivia Divilly concluded the scoring for the victors as their attention now turns to a possible sixth successive All-Ireland crown.

KILKERRIN-CLONBERNE: L. Murphy; K. Mee, S. Gormally, L. Finnegan; H. Noone, N. Ward (0-1), C. Costello; S. Divilly, N. Divilly (0-3); O. Divilly (0-7, 0-3 frees), L. Ward (captain, 1-0), Aisling Madden; E. Noone (0-4), A. Morrissey, L. Noone. Subs: C. Boyle, for L. Noone, 50 mins; Aoibhin Madden, for Finnegan, 54 mins.

KNOCKMORE: G. Naughton; C. Bourke, E. Hughes, S. Kelly; E. Reape, R. Flynn, N. McVann; S. Mulvihill, C. Keane; C. Durkan, H. Reape (0-1), C. Flynn; A. O’Connor (0-2), S. Howley (1-2, 0-1 free), L. Sweeney (captain, 0-2). Subs: M. Traynor, for Flynn, 28 mins; M. Breslin, for Durkan, 54 mins; E. Coleman, for Howley, 57 mins; S. Howley, for McVann, 60+3 mins; Á. Clarke, for Sweeney, 60+3 mins.

REFEREE: John Niland (Sligo).

HERALD SPORT PLAYER OF THE MATCH:

Eva Noone (Kilkerrin-Clonberne).

GAME AT A GLANCE

KEY MOMENT

Louise Ward’s goal on three minutes ensured that Kilkerrin-Clonberne were in front throughout the contest and they built on that early strike with six unanswered points. Three points from Nicola Ward and Niamh Divilly (two) approaching the three-quarter mark were also critical and restored Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s control as Knockmore were gaining momentum after reducing the arrears to four.

TALKING POINT

The attitude of Knockmore to take on the All-Ireland champions rather than sit back won them many followers. While Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s experience and ability to pick off points ultimately told, one lucky break for the challengers could have created a closer affair. Despite being eight down at the break, Frank Mulvhill’s team stayed true to their own principles and made their opponents earn a ninth straight Connacht title and an 11th in total.

STAR TURN

Eva Noone kicked four points and had two assists, including setting up Louise Ward’s goal. Elsewhere, sisters Olivia and Niamh Divilly shared 10 points. Louise Ward covered ground in defence and attack. 'Keeper Lisa Murphy looked comfortable and made one important save, while Hannah Noone and Nicola Ward constantly pushed up on their opponents.

SIDELINE VIEW

Willie Ward and his management of John Boyle, TP Fanning, Michael Divilly and Johnny Carter made two changes to the Kilkerrin-Clonberne team that started their semi-final against Leitrim's Glencar-Manorhamilton with the fit-again Katelyn Mee and Eva Noone coming in. Aoibhin Madden and Caitlin Boyle were introduced in the final 10 minutes and they, along with the 15 starters and possibly the returning Chloe Miskell, will be the fulcrum of Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s tilt at further All-Ireland honours.

WHAT’S NEXT

Kilkerrin-Clonberne have a home All-Ireland semi-final against the Leinster champions on the weekend of November 28-29. Dublin’s Kilmacud Crokes and Longford Slashers will do battle in Portlaoise on Sunday. Knockmore’s season is over after winning a first Mayo title in three years.