Knockninny 5-12 v 3-00 Kinawley B

Knockninny secured an emphatic 5-12 to 3-00 victory over Kinawley B in the Division Three League Final on Sunday in Belcoo, marking a swift return to Division Two following last season’s relegation.

The winners were dominant from the outset, registering their first score just 20 seconds in as Niamh Boyle, the dynamic wing-back, burst through the defence and slotted over from close range.

Molly Quinlan and Leann Donegan quickly added points, but Kinawley drew level when a speculative shot from Caoimhe Hamilton dipped into the top corner, leaving the score at 0-03 to 1-00 after just eight minutes.

Kinawley then struck again six minutes later with a well-worked team move that saw Shauna Melanophy finish clinically, drilling low past Knockninny goalkeeper Oonagh Murray to put Kinawley ahead.

However, Knockninny remained composed, gradually clawing back the deficit.

Points from Stephanie Gunn, Alannah Maguire, and a Quinlan free had them back on level terms by the 21st minute at 0-06 to 2-00.

The momentum then firmly swung in Knockninny’s favour. Naoise McKiernan found a gap in the Kinawley defence and blasted home a goal, and within 40 seconds, a high ball into the square was flicked into the net by Alannah Maguire.

Things went from bad to worse for Kinawley, who were reduced to 14 players just before half-time following a sin-bin.

Quinlan capitalised, adding a free and a point from play to leave Knockninny with an eight-point advantage at the break, 2-08 to 2-00.

Three minutes into the second half, another sin-bin left Kinawley down to 13 players, and Knockninny took full advantage.

Quinlan contributed 1-01 while Maguire notched her second goal of the match, effectively ending the contest as they extended their lead.

The rest of the game was largely a formality, with Knockninny comfortably in control.

Kinawley managed a consolation goal, but Knockninny continued to add points as they eased to victory.

Captain Alannah Leonard, who put in a tireless display in midfield, was deservedly awarded Player of the Match, with notable contributions from centre-back Ciara Clarke and the impressive Niamh Boyle.

This commanding win sees Knockninny return to Division Two at the first attempt, as they look ahead to next season with confidence.

Knockninny manager Fearghal Shannon was delighted that his side were able to make a swift return to Division Two: “Very pleased, you enjoy it more for the lassies, you know, they have put in a tough year but it’s Division Three, we didn’t want to be there, we’re out of it now and hopefully we’ll get rattling at Division Two next year.”

When asked about the possibility of promotion next year, he added: “We’re hoping. That will be the eyes on it next year but we’ll not look at that now till next year, and we’ll concentrate on our game against Ederney in the championship on Saturday, so, that’s what we’re looking forward to.

"That’s the teams we want to be playing against. It’s a good set-up, to get a bit of belief into the girls. At the start, there wasn’t much belief, but it’s gelling nicely the team that we’re building here at Knockninny Gaels. It's going in the right direction anyway.”