Longford LGFA: Killoe ladies produce powerful performance to beat Ballymore

Killoe ladies were crowned Intermediate football champions for 2025 with a comprehensive win over Ballymore in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday last. 

Killoe . . . 4-14   Ballymore . . . 0-9

Killoe ladies were crowned Intermediate football champions for 2025 with a comprehensive win over Ballymore in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday last
The result was never in doubt as Ballymore, last year’s Junior A champions, never got going.
Killoe were led from start to finish by the inspirational Niamh Brady, who scored the magnificent tally of 2-8 (6 frees).
Killoe were determined to atone for last year’s final defeat to Carrickedmond.
Fiona Toher’s excellent captain’s speech after the game showed how much this win meant to the side managed by Liam Higgins.
They set their stall out from the start, with hard running and good support play.
Ballymore will be deeply disappointed with their display, but throughout their team they have young players who will surely bounce back.
Niamh Brady, not long back from injury, took this final by the scruff of the neck from the start and delivered a superb performance.
The county player had scored 1-5 by the midway point of the first half.
She was supported well by players such as Maria Reehill (outstanding at midfield) and the experienced Jacinta Brady.
Underage player Ailbhe Mulligan scored two goals and announced herself as a player with a big future ahead.
Killoe started the game with serious intent and goals from Niamh Brady and Ailbhe Mulligan gave them a 2-2 to 0-1 lead by the 11th minute.
Further scores followed from Maria Rehill and three from Niamh Brady (two frees).
Ballymore were shellshocked and Aisling Reynolds struck her second point (from a free) in the 19th minute.
The former county player was not as influential as expected but she tried hard and accounted for seven of Ballymore’s eight points.
When Killoe found the net for the third time through Ailbhe Mulligan in the 23rd minute, it was 3-6 to 0-3 in their favour and looked already to be game over.
At half-time, Killoe led by 3-8 to 0-4.
There was no respite for Ballymore early in the second half. A terrific long-range point from Maria Reehill was followed by a goal effort from Ailbhe Mulligan, which went wide of the post.
A point from Clodagh Reilly increased Killoe’s lead to 15 points.
In the 37th minute, Killoe introduced Anne-Marie Gately (nee Bratten) as a substitute.
The former county player has returned to her club after an absence and she was a steadying influence as Killoe sought to confirm their control of the game.
Niamh Brady struck for her second goal in the 41st minute. Aisling Reynolds was battling to keep the deficit down with a number of frees.
However, the game was over as a contest. Emma Doris, another prominent figure for Killoe, finished the scoring with a point in the closing stages.

Killoe were very strong down the centre (Laura Gallagher and captain Fiona Toher were both prominent in defence).
Sorcha Dawson, Elizabeth Kearney and Zara Drake were among those who battled away for Ballymore.
However, former senior kingpins Killoe have sent out a signal of intent with this triumph.

KILLOE: Bronagh Reilly; Amy Finnegan, Laura Gallagher, Riane McGrath; Emily McCarthy, Fiona Toher (captain), Aideen Mulligan; Maria Reehill (0-3), Emma Doris (0-1); Clodagh Reilly (0-1), Jacinta Brady, Eimear Igoe (0-1); Ailbhe Mulligan (2-0), Niamh Brady (2-8, 6f), Anna McDonnell.

Subs: Anne Marie Gately for McDonnell (37 mins), Mia Shannon for Igoe (42 mins), Sarah Jane Sheridan for Aideen Mulligan (52 mins), Sinead Donohoe for Ailbhe Mulligan (53 mins),), Darina McGoldrick for McCarthy (55 mins), Shona Rowley for Reilly (58 mins).

BALLYMORE: Deirdre Monaghan; Eileen Boyle, Ciara Heaney, Amy Creegan; Sorcha Dawson (0-1), Marie Martin, Shauna Heaney; Elizabeth Kearney, Grace McEvoy; Zara Drake, Aisling Reynolds (captain, 0-8, 6f), Molly Boyle; Alanna Burns, Courtney Murphy, Nicole Neilan.

Subs: Alanna Kelly for Heaney (injured, 7 mins), Ciara Kelly for Neilan (38 mins), Rachel Higgins for Burns (47 mins), Emma Boyle for Eileen Boyle (54 mins).

Referee: Tony Gaffney (Mostrim). 

Footnote: Well done to Longford LGFA for their excellent programme. It was good value for €2, with headshots of all four panels involved in the Intermediate and Junior B finals.