Cromane came within seconds of forcing extra-time but instead lost by a point in the AIB All-Ireland Ladies Junior Club Football Final.
They were beaten by Muckalee of Kilkenny on a scoreline of 1-13 to 2-09 at Parnell Park.
Muckalee midfielder Laura Greene said their historic AIB All-Ireland junior club final win is a huge boost to football in Kilkenny.
Katie Nolan landed the match-winner at the death at Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon at the end of an engrossing battle with Cromane of Kerry.
“We had some really tough games on the journey to the All-Ireland,” said Greene. “I think they really stood to us the whole way. We’re absolutely delighted to get the win.
“It’s putting Kilkenny football on the map and that’s what it deserves to be. It’s very, very strong and there’s so many players coming up and it’s brilliant for the county.
“It would have been an awful pity if we lost it there in the last two or three minutes, but I think it just shows the resilience of this team. That they dug into the very end and that showed there today.”
She paid tribute to dual star Nolan for having the composure to kick the winning point with just seconds left on the clock.
“She is incredible. I play camogie with Katie, we do everything. I’m just so proud of her and so happy that everything went well for her today,” she added.
Cromane forward Eimear Burke said that while they were obviously disappointed to be pipped at the death, they can take a lot of positives from their season.
“I’m very proud of the girls. They brought it back down to the wire. We fought to the end, so we have to be proud of ourselves and the journey we’ve been on,” said Burke.
“At least we’ll be intermediate next year, so we can be proud of that. In fairness to Muckalee, they’re a very good team. Very physical, fit.
“You can tell they’re playing at senior level in other counties, so hopefully we can bring that for next year. Just proud of the journey we’ve been on.”
Having already broken new ground as the first side from Kilkenny to contest an All-Ireland club ladies football championship final, Muckalee responded to the concession of a brace of frees from Cromane’s Roisin Griffin with a fifth minute goal by midfielder Laura Greene.
That helped them lead by double scores at 1-7 to 0-5 at the interval but Cromane hit back in the third quarter when Griffin fired home a penalty after 38 minutes.
Although Nolan settled Muckalee with her seventh of the day, Burke converted a second free to leave Cromane just three points in arrears heading into the final quarter.
Nolan chipped a 48th minute penalty over the bar, but another free by the sharpshooter moved Muckalee five points clear and within sight of the silverware.
Cromane responded, however, and they dramatically wiped out the lead when Burke and Mary Ellen McDonnell kicked points either side of Griffin’s second goal in the 58th minute.
It suddenly looked like a replay was going to be required to separate these teams, but when Muckalee were awarded a close-range free with just seconds remaining, the ice-cool Nolan kicked her tenth point of the game to ensure a Kilkenny club added their name to the competition’s roll of honour.
Scorers – Muckalee: K Nolan 0-10 (6f, 1 pen), K Purcell 0-3, L Greene 1-0. Cromane: R Griffin 2-3 (1-0 pen, 0-2f), E Burke 0-3 (3f), MK Smith, M Quirke, ME McDonnell 0-1 each.
MUCKALEE: S Corcoran; R Crowley, E Coonan, A Ring; E Coady, C Hanlon, J O’Keeffe; K Comerford, L Greene; H Moore, E Lawlor, K Purcell; S Bolger, E Keane, K Nolan.
CROMANE: E Murphy; N Burke, O Burke, S O’Donovan; S Corkery, O Dunphy, S Foley; L O’Sullivan, R Smith; M Duffy, MK Smith, E O’Sullivan; R Griffin, E Burke, S Harkin. Subs: ME McDonnell for Dunphy (16), M Quirke for Duffy (35), C Joy for Foley (43), M Duffy for O’Sullivan (56).
Referee: Eddie Cuthbert (Down).
Cromane Manager Anne-Marie O'Donoghue gave her reaction to Dan Kearney afterwards.
