Dawn of a new era as Killimor claims its first senior title

Killimor 3-7Mullagh 2-7

Eoghan Cormican in Loughrea

Killimor achieved glorious redemption for the heartbreaking defeat of last year’s final in securing the club’s first senior camogie title as the East Galway outfit saw off the determined Mullagh challenge in a pulsating decider at Loughrea on Sunday.

Lacking the same level of fluency that brought them to the final, Tommy Callagy’s charges were nothing less than clinical in the second period outscoring their East Galway neighbours 3-2 to 1-3.

Although Killimor trailed Mullagh at the interval-1-4 to 0-5, once Susan Keane netted the second of her side’s gift-wrapped goals on 51 minutes, the favourites always looked the more likely to secure their first Catherine Donnellan Cup from just their second final appearance. 

Aside from the gripping entertainment it provided, the final quarter of this epic encounter proved critical in deciding the destination of the County Cup. Following a foul on Imelda Mullins, Rachel Monaghan proceeded to level affairs, but tenacious defending subsequently from Ann Marie Hayes and Nicola Lawless ensured Mullagh failed in their bid to recapture the lead.

With nine minutes remaining Ann Marie Starr negotiated five Mullagh jerseys before delivering the sliotar into the Mullagh goalmouth where ‘keeper Catriona Daly dropped the prized possession and Susan Keane was alert in punishing the fatal error.

Rachel Monaghan (free) pared the margin back to two in the ensuing passage of play, but Killimor had one hand on the title moments later as Martina Conroy struck for their third goal. Collecting a booming clearance out of defence, she riffled the sliotar past Daly.

Having opened up a five point advantage Killimor looked to be cruising at this stage, but Mullagh didn’t lose heart, responding with a major of their own two minutes later.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.