Kilkerrin/Clonberne claimed back-to-back Connacht Senior Club titles after a convincing 3-21 to 1-6 victory over Kilbride in Enfield.
Louise and Nicola Ward struck 3-3 between them for the Galway champions, the first goal from Louise after 15 minutes. Annette Clarke, Claire Dunleavy, Olivia Divilly, Nicola Ward and Chloe Miskell scored those early points for Galway, before Kilbride responded with a Siobhan Tully point after Eilish Fannon saw her goal effort saved by Lisa Murphy.
Kilkerrin/ Clonberne replied immediately when Louise Ward burst through the defence before finishing to the net.
The sides then exchanged scores, but Nicola Ward latched on to an Olivia Divilly pass to score Kilkerrin/Clonberne’s second goal. The seven-in-a-row Galway champions struck the final three points of the half and they led to lead 2-11 to 0-2 at half-time.
Kilbride youngster Aisling Hanley struck the opening score of the second half, but the Galway champs responded with points from Louise Ward, Ailish Morrissey and Clarke. Fannon responded for Kilbride as they continued to battle hard despite the deficit.
Olivia Divilly’s accurate free-taking moved Kilkerrin/Clonberne 2-15 to 0-4 ahead after 39 minutes.
Kilbride earned themselves a penalty, but Aisling Hanley’s effort was saved by Lisa Murphy. However, as Taylor sought to gather the rebound, she was dragged down in the square and Kilbride were awarded a second penalty. This time 15-year-old Hanley made no mistake.
Kilkerrin/Clonberne hit back with six of the net seven scores before Nicola Ward added her second goal to seal a 21-point victory and an All-Ireland semi-final place for Kilkerrin/Clonberne.
Kilkerrin/Clonberne: L Murphy; S Gormally; A Costello; S Fahy; C Dunleavy; N Ward; H Noone; S Divilly; L Ward; L Noone; O Divilly; C Miskell; E Noone; A Clarke; A Morrissey. Subs: K Mee for Fahy (35 ); C Boyle for E Noone (35 ); C Costello for Gormally (40 ); S Fahy for L Noone (40 ); C Boyle for H Noone (50 ).
Kilbride: A Gavigan; C Taylor; Y Creighton; M Lohan; A Feeley; R Mullaney; A Kelly; A Kelly; N Shanagher; E Fannon; C Gormley; B O’ Beirne; S Clabby; T Taylor; S Tully. Subs: L Connor for Gavigan (half-time ), A Hanley for Clabby (half time ); F Tully for Lohan (half time ); M Tully for Gormley (50 ); A Tully for Feeley (53 ).
Referee: Mel Kenny (Mayo ).
