21/08/2026
Killererin 3-5 An Cheathrú Rua 3-9
Hard luck to our Under 13s, who came up just short against An Cheathrú Rua last weekend following a heroic performance in a nail-biting Division 3 Championship Final in Knockdoemore. The game ebbed and flowed throughout, with both sides battling right up until the final whistle.
The lads started brightly, with two outstanding long-range points from Harry King — the first off his left boot and the second off his right, either side of a Matthew Boyle point — helping Killererin settle into the game well. Eoghan Cooney, operating at wing forward, was constantly getting his hands on the ball and carrying the fight to An Cheathrú Rua, while tireless tracking back and tackling from corner forwards Finn Scarry and Donnacha Conneely, coupled with resolute defending from Glen Rooney, Matthew Devaney and Shane Roche in the full-back line, kept An Cheathrú Rua, one of the highest-scoring Under 13 teams in the county this year, at bay for most of the opening 30 minutes.
Devaney in particular had an outstanding first half, repeatedly putting his body on the line to get in front of goal-bound shots and doing everything he could to keep the Connemara side at bay. Some excellent kick-outs from John Boyle in goal, where he linked up particularly well with Ethan Monaghan, Matthew Boyle and Iarla Burke, were also key to Killererin’s positive first-half performance. A well-taken and much-needed James Vignoles goal just before the break, as An Cheathrú Rua began to assert some control, saw Killererin go into half-time just one point behind.
An Cheathrú Rua started the second half the stronger of the two teams, retaining possession well and looking to build on their half-time advantage. They struck for a goal shortly after the restart to extend their lead, and but for some more excellent defending and tackling from the half-back line of Mark Shaughnessy, Ethan Monaghan and Odhran Joyce, they could have extended that advantage even further.
Killererin were now under serious pressure to keep pace with the game, compounded by an injury sustained by Harry King which forced him off and a heavy knock that Glen Rooney took but battled on through with for much of the second half. However, in the face of adversity, the lads found an extra gear, and a well-taken Matthew Boyle goal, followed by an important point from Iarla Burke, sparked a superb Killererin fightback that caught their Connemara opponents off guard.
Suddenly, the momentum began to shift, and when Ethan Moloney embarked on a marauding run through the An Cheathrú Rua defence before rifling the ball into the net, Killererin found themselves in front.
However, a well-drilled An Cheathrú Rua side refused to lie down and gradually began to regain control as the game entered the final ten minutes. Despite positive contributions from Oisin McComisk, Callum Duffy, Charlie King and Noah Gill after their introduction, with Jack Donnellan, Aaron Bermingham, Mark Devaney and Casey McGrath all providing further options as the game entered its closing stages, An Cheathrú Rua began to pull away, hitting several scores in a row to take back the lead.
Another Iarla Burke point kept the scoreboard ticking over, but unfortunately that proved to be as good as it got for Killererin. An Cheathrú Rua eventually ran out four-point winners, despite a heroic effort from every Killererin player.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the lads can hold their heads extremely high. They showed immense heart, determination and character, playing right to the final whistle in a game where they represented themselves, their families, their club and their parish with enormous pride.
The lads deserve huge credit for the effort they have put in throughout the year, winning 9 of their 12 championship games and reaching a county championship final in the process, beating Milltown, Kilconly, St. Gabriel’s, Kilkerrin-Clonberne, Claregalway and Renvyle along the way.
A huge thank you also goes to all our supporters who cheered the lads on throughout the year, both at home and away. Your support has been hugely appreciated by the players and management.
We would also like to extend a particular word of thanks to PJ Personnel, who sponsored training tops for both the players and management, as well as sponsoring a new set of specially designated jerseys for the final, and also to Killererin GAA Club for sponsoring shorts and socks, as well as food for the lads post-game. The support is greatly appreciated.
We wish Harry King a speedy recovery after he sustained a game-ending injury just minutes after kicking the second of his two points early in the first half.
Finally, we wish the very best of luck to all panel members involved with the Under 15s ahead of their upcoming championship final against St. James, and to all those who will be starting secondary school in the coming weeks.
Well done, lads. You did yourselves, your families and your club proud.
Back Row, L-R: Harry King (0-2) Shane Roche, Aaron Bermingham, Ethan Monaghan, James Vignoles (1-0), Oisin McComisk, Matthew Devaney, Odhran Joyce, Glen Rooney, Iarla Burke (0-2), Jack Donnellan, Ethan Moloney (1-0), Matthew Boyle (1-1).
Front Row, L-R: Charlie King, John Boyle, Callum Duffy, Eoghan Cooney, Finn Scarry, Donnacha Conneely, Casey McGrath, Mark Shaughnessy, Mark Devaney, Noah Gill
Other panel members not in photo: Nathan Cleary, MJ Ryder, John Keville.
