Killimor 2-10

Sarsfields 2-8

FOR the first time in a decade, Killimor are back on their nationwide travels as they concluded the domestic season by coming from seven points behind to beat Sarsfields in Saturday’s Intermediate camogie final replay.

Two Niamh Horan goals from long range frees turned this contest around after Darren McDonagh’s team didn’t manage a score from play in the first half.

Both clubs have given Galway camogie memorable days with Killimor winning the All-Ireland senior title in March of 2011. They’ll represent their county again against the Leinster intermediate champions, after playing a Connacht Final first.

These Sarsfields players won’t think it now but the performance of this group, their second team, to reach an intermediate final just 12 months following Junior A success is testament to the work being put in at the club.

Despite two county final defeats in six days after the seniors’ loss to Athenry, the New Inn-Bullaun club will still be among the elite in 2026.

Splashes of rain before throw-in threatened a slippy surface in Ballinasloe but the ground was in immaculate condition and Mother Nature held off during the action bar some mild mist early in the second period.

Sarsfields led by nine in the original fixture a week earlier and were determined to hit the ground running. They got the perfect start when Mary Brigid Cosgrove capitalised on a misplaced attempted clearance to rattle the net for their first goal on three minutes.

Michael Donoghue’s team added a point from captain Aisling Dillon before Horan’s first free opened Killimor’s account.

After getting back on terms in the drawn fixture, Killimor’s errant shooting were costly and those problems remained over the opening 30 minutes. Along with four wides, their attempts to create a major were blocked out by resilient Sarsfields defending.

Saoirse Cahill provided an early double interception; keeper Denise Gormally produced two quality saves; while corner backs Jasmine Scully and Tegan Forde also thwarted opposing attacks.

At the other end, the girls in green were clinical as Cosgrove added a free on seven minutes. Killimor replied from a Horan ’45, after Gormally made a save from Caoimhe Starr.

It was a stop-start first period before the second half acceleration. Killimor were struggling to make an impact while Sarsfields systematically built their advantage. Cosgrove landed two more placed balls before Ciara Kyne found Amy Kelly who made it 1-5 to 0-2 at half-time.

Pictured: Killimor defender Siobhan Byrne is about to secure possession ahead of Sarsfields’ duo Mary Brigid Cosgrave and Cliona Cahalan during the Galway Intermediate Camogie Final replay at Duggan Park on Saturday. Photo: Joe Keane