Kilmallock chase national glory

FOR the second time in 17 months Kilmallock United are preparing for an FAI Cup final.
This time round it is the ladies team that are in the national final when this Sunday (2pm) at Limerick’s Jackman Park they play in the FAI Junior Women’s Cup final against top Dublin side Bohemians.
In May 2009 the club’s under-17 boys side were defeated 3-1 by Belvedere in the FAI Umbro Under-17 Cup final.
Remarkably the ladies team was only reformed last November.
Managed by Margaret Maguire, Jimmy Conway and Joe McCormack the ladies played their first league match in April which started an unbelievable run of 11 wins out of 11 in the league and they also lifted the Division 2 Cup.
“Kilmallock have always had outstanding underage girls team, but we were missing the ladies team for a number of years,” explained ladies team manager Margaret Maguire.
“We put out the call and the response was an overwhelming 32 ladies from Irish internationals to girls that have never played ball - our players range in age from 16 to 30,” she said.
The team coach is Jimmy Conway: “These girls have been a joy to coach. I know on the day of the final they will do us and themselves proud. Any team that can say they have won 22 out of 24 games are something very special. It will be a very proud day for the girls as they stand on the pitch at Jackman Park and know they are in an FAI Cup final. Success on this scale and at this level does not happen by accident. This is down to hard work and commitment”.
Kilmallock have won four games to reach Sunday’s final.
In the first round Kilmallock were at home to Mungret FC from the Limerick Ladies Premier Division and despite falling behind they fought back for victory courtesy of two goals from Marie Claire Curtin.
In round two they were again at home against Millstreet FC from Cork. Goals from Sinead O’Riordan, Aisling Ryan, Jenny Clery and Claudia Hudner ensured their safe passage into the quarter-finals.
In the last eight they met Rathkeale from the Limerick Desmond League. Rathkeale were two goals up at half time, but Curtin and O’Riordan found the net to force extra-time. There were no further goals scored in extra time and the Kilmallock girls held their nerve to advance after a tense penalty shootout.
That win set up a daunting semi final trip away to Tramore AFC from Waterford, when goals from Jenny Clery and Sinead O’Riordan helped them to a 2-1 win.
Kilmallock are captained by former Irish senior international Marie Claire Curtin. Just last month Curtin was Player of the Match as the Limerick junior Ladies Footballers won the All-Ireland championship in Croke Park.
Club PRO Carmel Ryan said that “reaching an FAI Cup final has put our ladies team firmly in the sights of the Irish international team management. The team captain Marie Curtin has had a distinguished international career with hopefully more caps to come, but it would be fantastic reward if international recognition were to come for some of our other girls also.
“The support from the soccer club committee has been an integral part of our success as has been the phenomenal support which we have received all season from our loyal band of supporters and sponsors.
“This is deeply appreciated by all involved in the squad and we will give it our all to reward your support by bringing home the coveted FAI Junior Cup to Kilmallock on Sunday evening,” said the PRO.
“The final will kick off at 2pm in Jackman Park, Limerick which is brilliant for us. So, thank you to the LDMC. We welcome Bohemians FC junior ladies team to Limerick and we look forward to a very good game against them. A special thanks to all our sponsors for your generosity and finally, we look forward to a very good sporting final and a first national Cup final victory for our club,” said Ryan.
Club chairman Donal Hayes believes that there is a bright future for the ladies team.
“It is a proud day for our club. Incredibly seven of this team played under-16 football only last season. Great credit is due to the management team of Margaret Maguire, Jimmy Conway and Joe McCormack for their hard work and dedication,” said Hayes.
His words were echoed by John Webb O’Rourke, the club secretary.
“It is a fantastic achievement for a very talented squad of players supported by a very good management team.
“The sense of togetherness these players radiate is very evident in each one of them and has captured the attention of everyone in Kilmallock and the surrounding area,” said the secretary.

Kilmallock Squad
Janice O’Connell, Aedin Hayes, Mary Purcell, Aisling Ryan, Anna O’Dea, Claudia Hudner, Marie Curtin (captain), Sinead O’Riordan, Becky Hand, Jenny Clery, Vicky McMahon. Subs: Stella Stapleton, Sinead Hayes, Genille Conway, Lisa Noonan, Marguerite Freney, Louise Lannon, Roisin Howard, Siobhan Collins, Elaine Connery.

Jerome O’Connell