Kilcullen Ladies win championship

Kilcullen Ladies AFC are the FAI Umbro National Junior Champions after beating Corrib Rangers 3-2 in a tough game at Newbridge Town grounds, writes Brian Byrne.

It was a hard fought game that saw Kilcullen equalise the scoreline 2-2 just before the final whistle blew, necessitating extra time.

Earlier, Ciara Pembroke had opened the scoring, and then Corrib achieved a goal from a free kick. In the second half Corrib opened the stronger, though Kilcullen managed a breakaway goal which was, however, ruled offside. Corrib scored again and were on line to win until that last moment equaliser by Sara Murphy.

Early into the first half of extra time, Kilcullen's Kim Turner scored, and the first County Kildare team to ever feature in the National Cup Final held off the Galway side through into the second half although all concerned were obviously exhausted.

Many stoppages for injuries required three minutes of further extra time, which didn't help the nail-biting of the Kilcullen supporters. But in the end, Kilcullen is taking the Umbro trophy back to Bardons tonight.

(pic: Ray Kelly.)