On an evening of history, emotion and unforgettable drama, Colemanstown claimed victory in the first-ever Ladies Over-35 final in Ireland, edging past near neighbours Kiltullagh in a contest that will be remembered far beyond the scoreboard.
The sense of occasion was clear long before kick-off. Both sides walked out at Eamonn Deacy Park to a record GFA crowd, hand-in-hand with their children. Among the moments that defined the evening, none captured the meaning of the competition more than U11 player Nora Ryan embracing her mother Marie with a good-luck hug — a gesture that summed up the intergenerational impact of the night.
A minute’s silence followed, honouring Galway football stalwart Ollie Horgan and the late Niamh Kennedy, a pure soccer fanatic central to both clubs. Niamh’s influence on women’s football in the region was profound; as a player, coach, and role model — and her presence was felt as the teams lined up for this historic occasion.
With the wind at their backs, Colemanstown began with intent. Leading the line in the absence of her suspended wife, Shauna Ward, Kara Mullins set the tone with an irresistible first-half display. Quick-footed and relentless, she proved unplayable for the Kiltullagh defence.
It took just four minutes for Colemanstown’s pressure to tell. Kara combined smartly with Shelly Finnerty, whose pass found Emer O’Brien. When Emer’s shot was blocked, Kara was alive to the rebound, calmly finishing into the bottom corner.
Six minutes later, the lead doubled. A pinpoint ball from captain Orla McCaffrey split the Kiltullagh backline, sending Kara through. Though her initial strike was saved, she buried the rebound to spark jubilant celebrations from the sea of green in the stands.
Colemanstown’s defence then stepped up to preserve the advantage. Lorraine McGann and Anita Murphy snuffed out danger down the left, while Eleanor Morrissey patrolled the right. With Orla McCaffrey marshalling from the centre — despite rumours of a private jet flight home from holiday — the back line remained resolute. On the stroke of half-time, Deirdre O’Grady went close; her effort drifting just wide, while Catherine Burke-Curtin also had a couple of half chances but the sides parted with Colemanstown 2–0 up at the interval.
If the first half belonged to Colemanstown, the second was defined by Kiltullagh’s resurgence. The wind strengthened, the intensity rose, and within minutes goalkeeper Ruth Dempsey was called into action, producing a fine save.
In the 39th minute, Kiltullagh were awarded a penalty, converted confidently to halve the deficit. With momentum behind them, they pressed forward, yet Colemanstown struck back on the break. Deirdre O’Grady and Kara Mullins combined to release Kara once more, her strike parried brilliantly by the Kiltullagh keeper. This time, it was Alicia Flannery-Hynes who reacted fastest as she snuck in out of nowhere at the back post to fire in the rebound to restore the two-goal cushion.
Still, Kiltullagh refused to relent. The match became an end-to-end battle, with both sets of supporters living every moment. Injuries seen the introduction of Aoife Cummins and Trisha Sullivan while Deirdre Finn-O’Grady was literally forced to crawl off the pitch on all fours. On the opposite sideline, Shelly Finnerty had emptied the tank in a tireless display. As tension rose, Kiltullagh pulled a goal back to make it 3–2, setting up a frantic finale.
The five minutes of injury time felt like an eternity for Colemanstown, but their resilience held. With bodies thrown in front of shots and Ruth Dempsey assured between the posts, the women in green weathered the storm until the final whistle confirmed their place in history.
Both captains delivered moving speeches that reflected the true meaning of this competition for the players. Both captains also spoke with pride about what the late Niamh Kennedy meant to both clubs, before Zoe, Eamon and family were warmly embraced by players from both sides on the way to the presentation podium.
When captain Orla McCaffrey lifted the trophy, it wasn’t just a moment for Colemanstown, but for women’s football across Galway and Ireland. Celebrations spilled onto the pitch, with children joining their mothers in a scene that captured the spirit of the summer.
The party continued back in Colemanstown, where fires and fireworks lit the walk from the club grounds to Burke’s Bar. Club President Frank Burke himself, with tears in his eyes, was presented the trophy by Orla; a moment made all the more poignant, as it was Frank and Bernie’s generosity all those years ago that ensured a club would exist in Colemanstown United. For Mary Finn, mother of three players, the pride was so great she arrived for Saturday morning mass clad head-to-toe in green.
This victory was more than a result. Over the course of the summer, Colemanstown’s players transformed from mothers, wives and friends into role models and pioneers. They inspired not just their families, but an entire community. In claiming the first-ever Ladies Over-35s title, they made history — and created memories that will be spoken about in Colemanstown for generations. Match Report: Neil Ryan
Squad: Ruth Dempsey, Lorraine McGann, Anita Murphy, Orla McCaffrey, Eleanor Morrissey, Alicia Hynes, Emer O’Brien, Michelle Finnerty, Deirdre O’Grady, Catherine Curtin, Kara Mullins, Aoife Cummins, Trisha Sullivan, Michelle Harrison, Helen Keane, Olivia Broderick, Nicola Finn, Jacinta Brett, Marie Ryan, Anne Marie Walsh, Marian Wilson, Mary Rohan, Shauna Ward, Sinead Kavanagh, Sandra Schwitalla, Rita Burke, Louise Lally, Karen Dunne, Sandra King. Manager: Gerry Flannery.
Thanks to our vocal supporters who travelled in force with flags, jerseys & head bands to cheer on these history makers. Kudos to Mick Finn of Kiltullagh Pioneers who compiled a fantastic keepsake for both clubs, and finally to the Galway FA for a smooth and successful inaugural Over 35s Ladies competition.