Kilkerrin/ Clonberne 0-18

Ballymacarbry 1-9

KILKERRIN/Clonberne secured a three in a row of All-Ireland Senior Club titles as they produced a sublime display to down a determined Ballymacarbry outfit.

Willie Ward’s side were simply imperious and for three quarters of this game outclassed a Ballymacarbry side that were overwhelmed by the vim, vigour and intent of the Galway outfit. Kilkerrin/Clonberne led this game by 0-17 to 0-3 after 45 minutes with that scoreline painting a truer reflection of the gulf in class between these outfits than the six points which separated them at the conclusion.

For Kilkerrin/Clonberne, this is simply a monumental achievement. They became only the second club to ever complete a three in a row of All-Ireland Senior Club titles. The only other side to achieve this feat is Ballymacarbry, who were no doubt determined to maintain that record. However, they were powerless to do so against a Kilkerrin/Clonberne side who were simply better in every facet of the game.

The Waterford outfit did manage to outscore Kilkerrin/Clonberne 1-6 to 0-1 in the final quarter to restore pride but despite the champions shipping a quickfire 1-3, the outstanding Eva Noone kicked a settling score with less than five minutes remaining. When assessing this performance, it is hard to look beyond the youngest of the three Noone sisters. Eva shone brightest under the lights in Croke Park as she kicked six points in a sublime display.

Quite frankly, the Ballymacarbry defence must have breathed a collective sigh of relief when the 20-year-old was replaced after 58 minutes with Noone receiving a sizeable round of applause following this virtuoso display. She also kicked a half dozen points in her side’s extra time triumph over Kilmacud Crokes in the All Ireland semi final. Last Saturday, felt like the moment Eva Noone announced herself on the national stage.

Her movement off the ball and ability to time her runs makes her a lethal threat while she has built up an almost telepathic understanding with Olivia Divilly who operates behind her in the right wing forward role. Eva’s sister Lynsey, who was named the TG4 Player of the Match, slotted over four points from play as her redeployment from wing to corner forward in recent outings has paid dividends. Lynsey was flawless in front of the posts while she produced a deft pass to set up Chloe Miskell for a goal chance early in the final period.

Pictured: Kilkerrin/Clonberne’s Niamh Divilly on the attack against Ruby Browne of Ballymacarbry during Saturday’s All-Ireland Club Ladies Football Senior Final at Croke Park. Photo: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile.