Naomh Ciarán capture three in a row against brave debutants

Despite the absence of star players Kate Kenny, Ellee McEvoy, Róisín Cockram and Emma Cahill, Naomh Ciarán still had too much for first-time finalists Ballinamere/Durrow in last Sunday evening’s The Unit Gym, Clara LGFA Senior Championship final at Bretland Park.

The Unit Gym, Clara LGFA Senior Championship final

Naomh Ciarán 3-16

Ballinamere/Durrow 1-13

Veteran Lorraine Keena stepped up with 2-1, while rising star Lucy Flynn hit 1-3 as the Ferbane-based outfit completed a three-in-a-row in fine style. Indeed, it was their ninth senior crown in 10 years, with their winning sequence only being broken in 2021 when they suffered a shock final loss to Tullamore. It speaks volumes for the talent they have at their disposal that the aforementioned losses have hardly been felt.

Sports all-rounder Kenny is now plying her trade in the AFLW with Geelong, Offaly captain McEvoy is ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, while her county team-mate Cockram is facing an even longer lay off after rupturing her ACL. Cahill is also unavailable after taking a year out to concentrate on her studies.

Naomh Ciarán’s new-look team can expect a much sterner test in two weeks’ time when they face Kilmacud Crokes in the opening round of the Leinster Senior Championship at a time and venue to be confirmed. It’s a repeat of last year’s provincial final which the Dublin kingpins won a 4-18 to 1-10 scoreline.

Powered by county players Emma Hand, Róisín Mealiff and Saorah Doyle, Ballinamere/Durrow have enjoyed a meteoric rise. Starting from scratch 14 years ago, they’ve won numerous underage titles along the way and are in just their second year as a senior club, having secured promotion on the back of winning the Intermediate Championship in 2022. However, this game proved a bridge too far for their young side who will undoubtedly learn from the experience.

Naomh Ciarán led by 1-8 to 0-4 at half-time. An Amy Kelly goal gave Ballinamere/Durrow something to cheer about in the second half, but Naomh Ciarán were always able to keep them at arm’s length.

As with the preceding Intermediate final, the U10s of both clubs kept the big crowd entertained with their array of skills during the interval.

The Scorers

Naomh Ciarán: Lorraine Keena 2-1, Lucy Flynn 1-3, Sarah Fitzgerald 0-4, Lauren Kelly and Emma Maher 0-3 each, Amy Gavin Mangan 0-2.

Ballinamere/Durrow: Saorah Doyle 0-6, Amy Kelly 1-0, Emma Hand 0-3, Róisín Mealiff 0-1, Meadhbh O’Brien and Jane Maher 0-1 each.

The teams

Naomh Ciarán: Aine Maher; Emer Nally, Anna Grehan, Ellagh Darcy; Nicole Buckley, Emma Maher, Teagan Daly; Róisín Ennis, Amy Gavin Mangan; Emily Darcy, Lorraine Keena, Aoibhe Kelly; Emily Flynn, Sarah Fitzgerald, Lauren Kelly. Subs: Amanda Keena, Leah Ryan, Zoe Tighe, Meadhbh Keenaghan, Jenna Hesketh, Ella O’Malley, Shauna McGovern, Hannah Flynn, Katie Flynn, Molly Wheeler, Aimee Fitzgerald, Lucy Flynn, Sasha Coleman, Kaitlin Rigney, Ellee McEvoy.

Management: Nigel Adamson, Padraig Boland, Paul Fitzgerald, Mags Flynn, Johnny Grehan.

Ballinamere/Durrow: Emma Buggy; Chloe Buggy, Shauna Slattery, Grace McNally; Faith McDermott, Niamh Lydon, Niamh Bracken; Niamh Galvin, Jane Maher; Meadhbh O’Brien, Róisín Mealiff (captain), Una O’Brien; Emma Hand, Saorah Doyle, Trasa Bracken. Subs: Meabh Mealiff, Brooke McDermott, Ava Grennan, Julia Slattery, Clodagh Bourke, Amy Kelly, Saraid McDonald, Laura O’Neill, Sinead Bracken, Grace McNamee, Amy O’Connor, Grace Waters, Grace McNally, Saoirse Murtagh, Ella Ravenhill.

Management: Padraig Corcoran, Declan Gill, Dermot Cunningham, Aisling Fox, Trasa Doorley.

Referee – Stephen Connolly