St Colmcilles Ladies, Leinster Junior Final Match Report
Leinster Junior LGFA Final Report
St Colmcilles 1-04 | Muckalee 1-05
Venue: Kinnegad
Date: November 8th, 2025
The St Colmcilles ladies brought their remarkable Leinster campaign to a dramatic close in Kinnegad yesterday, as they fell narrowly to Kilkenny Senior champions Muckalee in a tense, physical, and hard-fought Leinster Junior Final.
Despite the best efforts of the Kinnegad grounds team, who had the facilities in excellent condition, heavy underfoot conditions made life difficult for Cilles, whose trademark fast, free-flowing football was curtailed by the sticky surface and Muckalee’s relentless pressure.
From the throw-in, it was clear that Muckalee had done their homework. They closed space quickly, denying Cilles’ attacking threats Emma Brophy and Saidhbh Collin the time and room
they usually thrive on.
After ten minutes, Brophy finally opened the scoring with a fine point, but Muckalee’s impressive number 12 Purcell, responded five minutes later with a well-taken equaliser.
A quarter of the way through, the sides were level at one apiece.
Muckalee then struck a crucial blow as Kate Purcell found the back of the net midway through the half. Cilles continued to press, and with five minutes left before the interval, Caoimhe McPeake calmly converted a free to leave the score at Muckalee 1-01, St Colmcilles 0-02 at the break.
The second half began brightly for Muckalee as their number 15, Nolan, slotted a tidy point straight from the throw-in. Cilles responded through a free from Alanna Boland after Emma Brophy was disposed illegally, narrowing the gap once more.
However, the Seasiders were dealt a blow when the ever-industrious Tegan Gordon received a yellow card after a third tick, leaving Cilles temporarily down to 14 players. Muckalee capitalised with another score to restore their three-point cushion.
Cilles rallied. Sarah Murray brought renewed energy to the defence, and goalkeeper Saoirse McPeake pulled off a crucial save under a high ball to deny Muckalee a second goal. At the other end, a high, looping effort from Boland crept just under the bar to level the game, a moment that lifted the large travelling Cilles support.
Muckalee, however, responded immediately. Number 11, Lawlor, powered through the centre before offloading to corner-forward Katie Nolan, who restored the Kilkenny side’s lead. Boland, once again, stepped up with a coolly taken point to make it all square at 45 minutes.
Veteran defender Orla Deegan entered the fray to steady the backline, but Muckalee’s patient build-up play was rewarded as Purcell added another point to edge them back in front. Cilles pressed hard in the closing stages, but despite several half-chances, the equaliser proved elusive.
In the dying minutes, Bronagh Grant and Honor McHutcheon were introduced for fresh legs, and with five minutes of added time, the Seasiders threw everything at the Kilkenny champions. Yet, Muckalee’s defensive discipline and sheer determination saw them hold on for victory by the narrowest of margins.
While defeat will sting, this extraordinary group of players can hold their heads high. This Cilles side has already written their names into club history as the most successful ladies team to date, and their journey is far from over. With a division 1 campaign on the horizon in spring 2026, and the intermediate championship in Summer 2026, the future is shining bright for this talented, spirited and united team.
They have fought the good fight, inspired a generation, and proudly carried the blue and navy of the parish onto the provincial stage. This is not the end, only the next chapter in an incredible story.
Mná Abú.
Thanks to Rebecca Kirwan for the match report and Elena Wade for the photographs.
