Classy Kilkerrin-Clonberne secure three-in-a-row

Galway's Kilkerrin-Clonberne are All-Ireland senior club football champions for the third year in a row as they saw off a late Ballymacarbry fightback to secure the title.

Eva and Lynsey Noone starred, as did Chloe Miskell, on a historic day for Willie Ward’s side.

Ballymacarbry were appearing in the decider for the first time since 1998, and two 15-year-olds, Summer Peters and Ruby Browne, were trusted to lead the charge from the offset.

Kilkerrin-Clonberne were 14-point victors over Ballymac last year at Fraher Field, but they knew they would have to be at their brilliant best to secure a third successive Dolores Tyrrell Memorial Cup.

Olivia Divilly picked out Miskell for the opening score after two minutes - before Ballymacarbry had even touched the ball - as the reigning champions looked to flex their muscle.

Karen McGrath then combined with Clare Walsh and the latter won a free, which was duly converted by Kellyann Hogan for the ten-time All-Ireland champions’ first-ever score at Croke Park.

In the next passage of play, that was duly cancelled out by a great run and score from Eva Noone as the game was played in an open, expansive fashion during the opening exchanges.

Captain Aileen Wall lead by example and the bright Walsh then shrugged off her marker to draw the sides level for the second time on six minutes.

Lauren Fitzpatrick then came to the rescue of Ballymac to deny Eva Noone the game’s opening green flag, closing down the attacker bravely at the near post. Noone then notched her third point soon after when found in space on the edge of the area as the early intensity began to plateau.

Ill-discipline began to creep in on the part of the Munster champions, and Olivia Divilly was on hand to punish them once more to move