Westport ladies fail to topple Kilkerrin-Clonberne empire in Connacht final
All-Ireland champions Kilkerrin-Clonberne find a way yet again as Westport ladies defeated in first-ever Connacht senior club final
CONNACHT LGFA SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Kilkerrin-Clonberne 1-17
Westport 1-8
In Swinford
WESTPORT dared to dream, but the empire prevailed yet again as Kilkerrin-Clonberne marched to their seventh successive Connacht title this afternoon.
The Mayo ladies at times defied their underdog tag to push the All-Ireland champions to the pin of their collars. But in the end, the precision, speed, cuteness and unquenchable class that won the last three All Ireland senior club titles was too much for the Mayo champions.
The first half was absolutely scintillating stuff. Kilkerrin-Clonberne battered Westport with a barrage of turnovers, runs and snapshots to kick eleven points and two wides before the break.
The Mayo champions had less possession but used it well - except when they missed goal chances from Fionnuala McLaughlin and Ava Lambert. Similarly, Aoife Staunton was denied a goal by a brilliant save from Lisa Murphy.
Laura Moran in action against Kilkerrin-Clonberne during the Connacht LGFA Senior Club Championship final
Losing Galway senior Louise Ward to a yellow card made scant difference to Kilkerrin-Clonberne, who minded the house and held Westport to a point during her absence.
The All-Ireland champions were re-energised by her appearance and outgunned Westport 1-3 to 0-0 in the last quarter, with corner forward Eva Noone burying a late goal to ice the Connacht champions' cake.
A full report plus reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.