Divilly steals final show as Kilkerrin gain revenge
OLIVIA DIVILLY scored five points and drove KilkerrinClonberne to their first currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Club SFC title following a stunning final win over Mourneabbey in Birr.
The Connacht champions are also the first team from Galway to get their hands on the Dolores Tyrell Cup since Galway Gaels in 1982.
This eagerly-anticipated clash was a repeat of the 2019 decider when the teams met in Limerick and there were 14 starting survivors on the Kilkerrin-Clonberne side. The only change was Chloe Costello, in for Galway’s 2004 AllIreland-winning captain Annette Clarke who remains a key member of the panel and came on yesterday after 52 minutes.
Mourneabbey had a healthy contingent still at their disposal too, with 12 players who lined out from the start in 2019 listed again for this showdown.
Mourneabbey were aiming for a third successive crown, following previous title wins in 2018 and 2019.
They knew all about final heartbreak, having lost out in the 2014, ’15 and ’17 deciders, before finally landing the silverware in 2018 with victory over Foxrock-Cabinteely.
Reaching the decider in 2019 meant a first ever senior final appearance for KilkerrinClonberne, who were left heartbroken after a one-point loss but they responded in style yesterday to carve out a famous victory in a final that lived up to all expectations.
Chloe Miskell’s 12th-minute wonder goal gave them a lead they never relinquished and scores from Olivia Divilly, Louise Ward and Eva Noone helped seal the deal.
Doireann O’Sullivan opened the scoring for the reigning champions from a free on five minutes before a foul on Ailish Morrissey resulted in Eva Noone hitting the target.
But the game came to life in the 12th minute when Louise Ward, Lynsey Noone and Morrissey combined to allow Miskell score with a rocket of a shot past Moureabbey goalkeeper Meabh O’Sullivan.
Doireann O’Sullivan responded from a free but the Galway club were in the ascendancy. Olivia Divilly and Morrissey registered before Nicola Ward sliced through the heart of the defence and added another point.
Kilkerrin-Clonberne led by 1-4 to 0-2 but Doireann O’Sullivan reduced arrears again. Olivia Divilly’s latest free restored KilkerrinClonberne’s five-point advantage and the teams traded points, a fourth for Doireann O’Sullivan was cancelled out by Morrissey.
Ciara O’Sullivan was taken down for a Mourneabbey penalty just before half-time. Laura Fitzgerald scored the goal for the sixth consecutive game and left the Cork side 1-6 to 1-4 down at half-time.
Divilly stretched the Connacht champions’ lead to three after the restart but Mourneabbey enjoyed the better chances with Doireann O’Sullivan adding two more points from frees, although two goal chances were missed. KilkerrinClonberne keeper Lisa Murphy saved from Fitzgerald while Ciara O’Sullivan hit the crossbar.
An Olivia Divilly point gave Kilkerrin-Clonberne a 1-8 to 1-6 advantage at the last water break and they pushed on after the resumption as Olivia Divilly again, and Louise Ward, put four between them.
Ciara O’Sullivan responded with
Mourneabbey’s only point from play but the second goal they needed failed to materialise and they finished with 13 players as Niamh and Doireann O’Sullivan picked up late yellow cards.
Eva Noone had the final say, when she finished a move involving Nicola and Louise Ward to restore Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s four-point cushion, ensuring they were crowned champions.