06/10/2026
The Cromane ladies made their way to Beaufort to take on MKL Gaels in the Bon Secours Kerry County Intermediate Final. They were hoping to put two County titles back-to-back after being runners-up in last year’s All-Ireland Junior Final.
Cromane played tremendous football from the outset and took the game to MKL. They were fluid and played with great cohesion. In the 3rd minute, Mary Kate Smith masterminded a six-pass movement which resulted in a foul and a penalty kick for the elusive Roisìn Griffin, who stepped up to take the kick, which was saved.
Cromane, if anything, were defiant and continued to carry the game to their much-vaunted opponents. The Cromane ladies have boundless faith in themselves and continued to play tremendous football. The handpassing was swift and subtle, and another marvellous eight-pass movement, fertilised by Emily O’Sullivan and Roisìn Griffin, found Eimear Burke, who gracefully despatched the ball to the net.
MKL, the hot favourites, counter-attacked at every opportunity. The tightly meshed Cromane defence played with growing composure and diminished the danger of the much-vaunted MKL attack. The full-back line of Aoibhìn O’Donovan, Caithlìn McMahon and Saoirse Harkin played gallantly. Orla Dunphy’s acceleration was crucial in turning defence into attack.
Leona O’Sullivan was composure personified at centre-back and masterminded many attacks. Naoise Burke’s delivery from defence expressed her great vision. Seodhla O’Donovan was the star of the show and played uninhibitedly. She was sound in defence and excellent in attack and, with her able lieutenant Mary Ellen McDonnell, set up a stream of attacks.
It was nip and tuck all the way to half-time, with the score MKL 0.07 to Cromane 1.02.
Sian Corkery continued to carry the game to the opposition with her searing runs and devoured an acre of ground. Roisìn Griffin continued to create chances from the great playmaker Emily O’Sullivan’s deft passes. Katelyn O’Connor was superb in her work rate, in creation and in the tackle.
Mary Kate Smith was a constant threat and disentangled herself from two and three tackles. Eimear Burke’s kicking is as good as you would find in any code, and she was cool and resourceful in possession.
The game was on a razor’s edge up until midway through the second half. Cromane were playing with great resolution, and no one exemplified that more than Seodhla O’Donovan, who played with much dash and wisdom.
Edel Murphy’s shot-stopping was superb, as usual. Her great palette of skills was clearly evident. Cromane defended with such skill and sagacity that the only goal came in the last minute.
Credit, however, must go to MKL Gaels, who have been knocking on the door for some time and were ultimately worthy winners. They showed great resilience and kept coming at Cromane, and when the opportunity presented itself in the closing stages, they took it. After coming so close before, they will savour this County title all the more.
It was a momentous occasion for both teams, each team hoping to enter sporting folklore. For Cromane, there will be disappointment, but they can take enormous pride in the football they played and the manner in which they challenged a very good MKL side.
Sport may be the last refuge of the immature, but we love it. It may sound ludicrous and indeed unbelievable to people in the real world outside, but defeat, even in a little match, can make you feel that the sun will never rise again! Proverbially, it is tough at the top; but a strange fact of football life is that it is tougher at the bottom.
Congratulations to MKL Gaels on a deserved County title, and commiserations to Cromane, who gave everything and can hold their heads high.
Team: Edel Murphy; Aoibhìn O’Donovan, Caithlìn McMahon, Saoirse Harkin, Orla Dunphy, Leona O’Sullivan, Naoise Burke, Seodhla O’Donovan, Mary Ellen McDonnell, Sian Corkery, Mary Kate Smith, Emily O’Sullivan, Roisìn Griffin, 0.02 Eimear Burke, 1.02 Katelyn O’Connor.
Subs: Orlaith Burke, Shannon Foley, Clodagh Quirke, Katie Roche.
Final score:
MKL Gaels 1.12
Cromane 1.04
Match report by Neilly O’Sullivan
