Kilkerrin-Clonberne remain different class in Connacht

St. Brigid’s 0-9

ANOTHER example of a polished outfit comfortable as the yardstick for club’s ladies football, Kilkerrin-Clonberne continued their historic run with another noteworthy achievement at O’Rourke Park last Sunday.

This 21-point victory over Roscommon’s St. Brigid’s was a record equalling eighth consecutive Connacht senior title, putting them on par with Carnacon’s run between 2006 and 2013.

St. Brigid’s came with a plan. They played with two extra defenders (a double sweeper) and used long balls to try bypassing midfield. The main glitch in their application was sometimes they didn’t trust their instinct to take the shot on.

It also didn’t help that Niall Mackey’s squad were missing their semi-final two goal hero Áine O’Brien, limiting attacking options. They still had strong displays from Kate and Marian Nolan, Alison Nugent and goalkeeper Caoimhe O’Reilly.

That being said, it wouldn’t have mattered. While Westport caused problems in the semi-final, Connacht doesn’t have a serious challenger yet for Kilkerrin-Clonberne. While they scored three goals, it’s the simplicity of their teamwork that has them so far ahead.

Kilkerrin-Clonberne got the scoreboard moving early; Noone sisters, Eva and Lynsey, did the damage with green flags; and after St. Brigid’s went in at half-time with their tails slightly up despite being 10 points down, the champions squashed those dreams minutes after the restart.

Stewards in Castlerea did marvellous work clearing the effects of overnight rain and even though the surface was heavy, conditions were as good as could be expected for mid-November.

Kilkerrin-Clonberne made the first breakthrough on three minutes when Olivia Divilly set up sister Niamh.  Chloe Costello then pushed up to supply Louise Ward two minutes later before Olivia Divilly turned supplier again for Chloe Miskell.

When Nicola Ward helped Eva Noone open her account, the 13-time Galway champions were 0-4 to 0-0 up. Kate Nolan opened St. Brigid’s account on eight minutes but they were eight down by the quarter hour.  Eva Noone added a point before being on the end of the game’s first decisive score.

It started in defence when Costello, making her first start in 2025, intercepted an opposing pass. She fed Siobhán Divilly who passed on to Olivia.  The older sibling saw Eva Noone inside the defence, provided the pass and the result was inevitable.

Kilkerrin-Clonberne had their first goal and when Nicola Ward helped Miskell to another point, they led 1-6 to 0-1 on 13 minutes.

St. Brigid’s, to their credit, started getting more involved over the next 10 minutes. The teams kicked three points each with Marian Nolan punting one between the posts. Her sister Kate followed with two placed balls.

Pictured: Kilkerrin-Clonberne's Hannah Noone secures possession against St Brigid's Claire Grehan during the Connacht Club Ladies Senior Football Final in Castlerea on Sunday. Photo: Michael Gough.