A supremely confident and talented Kilkerrin/Clonberne side made it five county titles in a row in the Ladies Senior football Championship last weekend against a young and improving Corofin team when they won by 1-14 to 2-9.
The champions were deserving victors, but it was not without a fierce battle from Corofin who had their chances, but failed to take them.
Corofin have county goalkeeper Dearbhla Gower to thank for keeping them in the contest with a magnificent performance - stopping Clonberne from ever being able to pull away with a string of top-class saves.
Corofin went ahead thanks to an early goal from Amy O'Donovan, but failed to assert their dominance and with too many unnecessary fouls, they gave their illustrious opponents a chance to stay in the game.
The champions went in at half-time one point ahead, largely thanks to the free taking accuracy of Kilkerrin's wing forward and county star Olivia Divilly.
Kilkerrin/Clonberne started to pull away in the second half after a penalty from Annette Clarke, but Corofin never gave up.
A somewhat fortuitous goal from Tracey Leonard was no more than they deserved, but Kilkerrin/Clonberne was the better team over the hour. Deserving their two point victory and a fifth consecutive county success, reaffirming they are the best ladies' football squad in the county once again.
Maigh Cuilinn crowned intermediate champions
A young and talented Maigh Cuilinn will play senior football in 2018 following their comprehensive 4-17 to 0-10 win over Menlough/Skehana on Saturday in Headford in the intermediate final.
The Moycullen team management of Bríd Uí Chonghaile, Johnny Carter, Monica Corcoran and David Carter will be delighted with the performance.
Top scorer Evvie Lownds hit 2-1, with the assists coming from Shannon Keady, who was back from a long-term injury and played superbly at full-forward.
Other high scorers for the victors were Molly Hynes (1-5 ) and county player Ailbhe Davoren (1-4 ).
Moycullen had other good displays from Katie and Emma Carter and Áine McDonagh. Leaving Cert students, Jean Hynes and Catherine Connaire, who are both off to study in DCU, also put in big performances.
Best for Menlough/Skehana on the day were Tessie Mullins, Niamh Carty, Shelly Burke and Naimh Curley.
Maigh Cuilinn will now face Leitrim champions Oughterard Gaels in the Connacht championship at a Galway venue in the last weekend in September.
Claregalway Junior B county champions
The Claregalway juniors will ply their trade at Junior A level next year, thanks to a comprehensive 3-14 to 1-6 victory over St Fursey's of Headford last weekend.
By half-time Claregalway had raced into a 2-10 to 1-4 lead and their pace and all -round movement was too much for Headford to curtail.
Solid defence and impressive score taking in challenging conditions built the lead, with Mary Dunphy and Caitriona Moran powerful at midfield. Stephanie O'Connell and Dunphy added the two goals.
St Fursey's enjoyed a quick start to the second half, but it was not reflected on the scoreboard as Claregalway goalkeeper Gwen Horkan, defenders Aoife Philips, Shauna Flaherty, and the youthful Chellene Trill stood firm.
Emer O'Kane, Aoife and Shauna Molloy tried best for Headford, but their efforts were not enough on the day.
Sinead Donovan, in an all-action performance, added the third goal after an assist from team captain Siofra Leonard, who later lifted the cup for the victorious Claregalway side.
In the Junior A final, Tuam Stars beat Leitir Móir narrowly to win promotion to intermediate next season.
The Connemara girls have been beaten in seven county finals in the last eight years. Perhaps 2018 will the year it finally happens for them?
