Galway's Kilkerrin-Clonberne ensured they remain the top club in Ireland when winning the currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Club 7s crown.
Having already captured the currentaccount.ie All-Ireland Senior club title for the first time in the club’s history earlier this year, Kilkerrin-Clonberne won a third senior 7s title, following previous wins in 2016 and 2014.
Hosted by the Naomh Mearnóg and St Sylvester’s clubs in Dublin, the club sevens competition saw three titles come to Galway with Annaghdown taking the intermediate shield and Milltown winning the junior cup.
In the senior event Kilkerrin-Clonberne ran out 7-4 to 1-6 winners over Tipperary opponents Fethard in the final, with the Ward twins, Louise and Nicola, Siobhan Divilly, Hannah Noone, and Ailish Morrissey among those to shine.
Nicola Ward says it is a great start to the club action.
“We love this day out and we’re absolutely thrilled to start off the (club ) year on a good note again. We haven’t been here in six years," she said, while sister Louise says Kilkerrin-Clonberne loves playing "fast, flowing football".
“It’s a completely different game to 15-a-side, but it’s the way we like to play, running the ball and that suits us down to the ground. There were some super scores, and we just want to thank the organisers of the competition – the LGFA and currentaccount.ie for sponsoring – it’s a great day out for everybody.”
En route to the final a youthful Fethard had beaten Clann Eireann from Armagh, while the Galwegians had racked up 7-7 in semi-final victory over Donegal opponents Glenfin.
And there was more success for Galway clubs with Annaghdown taking the Intermediate Shield when overcoming Tyrone opponents Omagh St Enda’s, and in the Junior Cup and Shield competitions, there were victories for Milltown from Galway and St Brigid’s of Mayo respectively.
Senior Shield honours went to Donaghmoyne from Monaghan who overcame Offaly opponents Naomh Ciaran by 4-6 to 2-6, while Parnells from London captured the Intermediate Cup following a 1-5 to 1-2 victory over Carrickedmond from Longford.