21/09/2026
Kerry Ladies Intermediate Football Semi-Final
Cromane 0-22 — Corca Dhuibhne 1-19 AET
Cromane won on free kicks, 4-3.
Cromane hosted the much-vaunted visitors, Corca Dhuibhne, at the panoramic setting of Glenbeigh Sportfield on Sunday morning. Weather conditions were perfect. The blackbirds and thrushes were silent, and not a blade of grass or leaf was stirring.
A word to the initiated: Ladies Gaelic Football now ranks as the No. 2 field sport in the world, second only to the men’s game. This was a spectacle and a game for the ages and confirms that LGF is a game of grace and beauty.
The home team were under severe pressure and conceded 1-3 in the first five minutes. The visitors fielded many inter-county stars, including Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh and Niamh Ní Chonchúir. The hosts had a daunting task on hand.
The usually tightly meshed defence increased the intensity and diminished the danger of the visitors’ excellent forward line. From goalkeeper Edel Murphy, who was sound in defence and was excellent in masterminding attacks from the goalmouth, and Aoibhín O’Donovan, Caithlín McMahon and Saoirse Harkin in the full-back line, who were exceptional in the tackle, to the magnificent half-back line of Orla Dunphy, Leona O’Sullivan and Naoise Burke, which displayed a wide palette of skills and was backed up with furious energy.
The dominance of Seodhla O’Donovan and Mary Ellen McDonnell, who exemplified grace under pressure, was crucial to the supply of magnificent ball to the forward line.
The visitors led by 1-8 to 0-10 at half-time.
The second half exemplified the dictum which says that energy creates energy. A stream of marvellous attacking movements was created by Mary Kate Smith, who provided excellent, top-class service to her comrades.
Emily O’Sullivan was magnificent and covered every blade of grass, and her finishing was clinical, with three outstanding points.
Róisín Griffin was the biggest element in this great victory, and her 0-8 points were crucial and will live long in the memory. She has the skill and imagination that can make even the tightest defence look porous. She was always cool and decisive, and she spread confidence all around her.
She had great lieutenants in Sian Corkery and Katelyn O’Connor, whose work rate and tackling were a sight to behold.
The hosts, despite the quality of the opposition, and led by Eimear Burke, who was the fulcrum of the attack, were unruffled and went on playing with a delightful blend of zeal and skill.
She bewildered two opponents and will cherish several of the game’s moments forever. Her distribution was cool and unerring, and she notched 0-8, which was phenomenal.
The game was balanced on a razor’s edge. Despite being under severe pressure at times, the team never surrendered and played magnificently. The excitement was palpable, and the spirit never waned.
The score at the end of normal time was 0-17 to 1-14.
The score at the end of extra time was 0-22 to 1-19.
The excitement was at record level, and the hero of the free kicks was Katelyn O’Connor, who kicked the final winning score, which turned woe into ecstasy. She has entered folklore and will cherish the moment for the rest of her life.
Shannon Foley and Maebh McKeefry were magnificent off the bench and were pivotal against the raging tide when the need was greatest.
Team
Edel Murphy, Aoibhín O’Donovan, Caithlín McMahon, Saoirse Harkin, Orla Dunphy, Leona O’Sullivan, Naoise Burke 0-1, Seodhla O’Donovan, Mary Ellen McDonnell 0-1, Sian Corkery, Mary Kate Smith 0-1, Emily O’Sullivan 0-3, Róisín Griffin 0-8, Eimear Burke 0-8, Katelyn O’Connor.
Subs
Shannon Foley, Maebh McKeefry
