LADIES FOOTBALL: What a fantastic successful weekend our ladies football club had last weekend.  Following on from the success of our Senior ladies becoming Tesco Homegrown All Ireland sevens champions and our U14 girls coming runners up in Kilmacud FBD All Ireland sevens, our Senior and Minor ladies took to the playing field for their respective County finals.

On Friday night all roads led to Glenamaddy where our senior ladies would once again face Corofin in the county final after a drawn game three weeks previously. For the second year in a row the Ladies County Senior final went to a replay between the same two teams and as in 2013 KIlkerrin/Clonberne came out on top in the replay.
This year's replay was the first to be played under lights at 8.30pm in Glenamaddy on Friday night. Glenamaddy proved to be a brilliant venue with high quality lighting and a pitch that was in perfect condition. The timing was obviously very suitable for supporters as a huge crowd surrounded the pitch and the enthusiastic support created a great atmosphere for the match.

The match itself was typical of two teams that know each other too well. It was a cagey, cautious affair in the first half as both teams worked very hard to close down opponents.

After Kilkerrin Clonberne had scored two points, Corofin got an early break when a high ball into the Kilkerrin Clonberne square ended up in the net. Both sides added just two points each before half time as Corofin held on to a one point lead, 1-2 to 0-4.

Corofin added one point early in the second half and that was to be their last of the game as an excellent Kilkkerrin/Clonberne backline shut them out for the rest of the game. Kilkerrin Clonberne's forwards got into gear too and added seven points in the half as their speedy forwards started to find some gaps in the Corofin defence. The final score was 0-11 to 1-3 in Kilkerrin/Clonberne's favour.

After the final whistle the cup was for the second year presented to Annette Clarke, the Kilkerrin Clonberne capain.

Kilkerrin Clonberne had many good performers on the day especially in the back line where all six were outstanding for the full hour in front of the very steady Lisa Murphy in goal. Annette Clarke as always controlled the middle supported by Lisa Gannon, Louise Ward and Anne Marie Finnerty. The Divilly sisters, Olivia and Siobhan along with Claire Dunleavey and Lisa Walsh created enough chances to get their team into the driving seat in the second half. Ann Marie Boyle, Emma Flanangan and Deirdre Bracken came off the bench to see their team safely over the finish line.

Kilkerrin Clonberne panel: Lisa Murphy, Ailbhe Mahony, Sarah Gormally, Aisling Walsh, Aoife McStay, Nicola Ward, Caoimhe Boyle, Annette Clarke, Lisa Gannon, Olivia Divilly, Louise Ward, Claire Dunleavey, Lisa Walsh, Siobhain Divilly, Anne Marie Finnerty, Marie Treacey, Anne Marie Boyle, Deirdre Bracken, Emma Flanagan, Sarah Ward, Karen Finnegan, Ciara Heverin, Aoife Heverin,Katie Fleming. Managment  Michael Divilly, Willie Ward, Eamon Mahoney, Mags Fleming and physio Eoin Martin. The ladies will now face St. Brigid's of Kiltoom in the Connacht semi final next Saturday October 11th in Ballinlough at 4.30pm.

Sunday saw our Minors travel to Caltra to play Claregalway in the final of the Mairead Meehan Cup.  Following their defeat by Claregalway in this competition last year, our girls were determined to bring home the cup this time.
In a first half where players had to contend with a strong wind, Kilkerrin Clonberne started the stronger and were first to get on the score board. They played a fantastic game throughout with some great passing moves and accurate shooting. Marie Treacy in goal made some fantastic saves, even saving a penalty, Ailbhe Mahoney, Sarah Gormally Chloe Costello, Emma Flanagan, Shauna Mee and Claire Dunleavy were resolute in defence, making it very difficult for Claregalway to get scores. As usual the midfield pairing of Nicola Ward and Siobhan Divilly worked well with both of them also getting their name on the scoreboard. The forwards of Louise Ward, Olivia Divilly, Amy Mee, Lynsey Noone, Chloe Miskell and Caoimhe Boyle had a particularly good day at the office with all of them scoring. In the second half, Ailish Morrissey, Siobhan Fahy and Mary Finnegan were introduced to help their team mates win out the game comprehensively. Captain Sarah Gormally Captain Sarah Gormally accepted the Mairead Meehan Cupto much cheering from the large crowd of spectators. Congrats and well done to all the panel  Amy Mee, Claire Dunleavy, Louise Ward, Olivia Divilly, Marie Treacy, Katie Fleming, Cora Shaughnessy, Siobhan Divilly Anna Traynor, Ailish Morrissey, Mary Finnegan, Chloe Costello, Sarah Gormally Capt., Ailbhe Mahoney, Nicola Ward, Caoimhe Boyle, Shauna Mee, Emma Flanagan, Chloe Miskell, Siobhan Fahy, Lynsey Noone. Management John Fleming, Annette Clarke, Jarlath Gormally, Mags Fleming and
physio Eoin Martin. Congrats to Nicola Ward who received player of the match.
Our thanks to the Meehan family and Caltra Ladies Football club for their hospitality.

U8 and U10 girls attended the County Blitz in Annaghdown last Saturday where they performed very well and thoroughly enjoyed their morning. Thanks to all involved in organising the event.  We have now hung up our boots for this year, and would like to thank all the girls who turned out for training and games during the year and to all the parents who helped with travel, refreshments and support. We will have our end of year party next Saturday morning and hope all the girls can attend. Details will be circulated via text.

U12 girls still have one more game to play in championship, but no date has been set yet.