*Victorious Kilmurry Ibrickane captain Amy Sexton. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography
KILMURRY Ibrickane won the Clare LGFA senior title for the second time when overcoming Fergus Rovers by five points in a competitive affair.
Kilmurry Ibrickane 3-15
Fergus Rovers 1-16
Venue: St Michael’s Park, Kilmihil
It was a tight and entertaining game which regrettable wasn’t witnessed by as large of a crowd that should have been there due to the own goal of the Clare LGFA for failing to move the game forward a day earlier to avoid a clash with the Clare SHC final which drew close to 10,000 people to Ennis.
Goals on the field were decisive with the experienced Karen Galvin raising two green flags in the first half for Kilmurry Ibrickane. Custodian Rebecca Sexton also stepped up with three vital saves for the Bricks as they marched to a second title in three seasons. Sexton pulled off one brilliant stop from Aoibhin Keane for what seemed to be destined to the back of the net.
David O’Brien’s message before the game when speaking to The Clare Echo referenced the determination in the Kilmurry Ibrickane camp to prove their maiden success in 2024 was no fluke and that was echoed by top scorer Chloe Moloney following the game.
Excellent scores greeted the start of the decider, Kayla Darcy opening the account for Kilmurry Ibrickane which was cancelled out by Maeve Clancy at the other end.
Showing their clinical edge, the Bricks hit back with a goal that was finished to the net by Galvin.
Aisling Costelloe helped to keep Fergus Rovers within two points approaching half time in what was their first senior final in twenty six years.
Galvin reacted quickly after Kayla Darcy’s effort hit the post to tap to the net which gave O’Brien’s side a 2-7 0-8 lead at the interval.
Within moments of the restart, Fergus Rovers made it a three point game with Louise Cleary and Aoibhin Keane kicking over points. They had a chance to level matters for only the second time, only for Hannah Mai Neylon to be denied by another excellent Sexton save.
Chloe Moloney’s first two pointer extended the gap to seven points but they would strike for goal via captain Amy Sexton to really dent the Fergus Rovers challenge.
Making no mistake with her second attempt on goal, Hannah Mai Neylon pulled a goal back for Fergus Rovers who kept going in their pursuit.
Scorers Kilmurry Ibrickane: Chloe Moloney (0-7 2f, 1TPF), Karen Galvin (2-0), Amy Sexton (1-2), Ciara McCarthy (0-3), Kayla Darcy (0-1), Aoife Donohue (0-1), Ellie Hanrahan (0-1).
Scorers Fergus Rovers: Scorers: Louise Cleary (0-8 6f), Hannah Mai Neylon (1-1), Aisling Costelloe (0-4), Aoibhin Keane (0-1), Hazel Keating (0-1), Ava Cotter (0-1)
Kilmurry Ibrickane:
1: Rebecca Sexton
2: Rachel Tubridy
3: Rebecca Doohan
7: Leah Darcy
5: Keela Markham
6: Joanna Doohan
8: Sophie Daly
12: Ide O’Connor
9: Ciara McCarthy
10: Kayla Darcy
11: Amy Sexton
13: Michaela Sexton
17: Ellie Hanrahan
14: Chloe Moloney
15: Karen Galvin
Fergus Rovers:
1: Aoife Griffin
2: Eimear Burke,
3: Ciara O’Malley
4: Zoey Warren
5: Neasa Meaney
6: Hazel Keating
7: Sophie Culleton
8: Shauna Melican
9: Aine Slattery
10: Maeve Clancy
11: Hannah Mai Neylon
12: Ellen Griffin
13: Aoibhin Keane
14: Aisling Costelloe
15: Louise Cleary
Referee: John McDonagh (Liscannor)
