Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1490162
20 | WINTER 2022 / JANUARY 2023 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie that for them today." Aside from the obvious elation of winning a second successive national title - both of which came within the same calendar year - there was an extra thrill for KC in the fact that their latest All- Ireland senior victory took place at Croke Park. Having played in Longford, Limerick and Offaly for their previous All-Ireland final appearances, the Connacht supremos were afforded a glorious chance to showcase their undoubted talents at GAA HQ. While it wasn't something they thought about until their place in the decider was officially sealed - thanks to a comprehensive semi-final win over Ballymacarbry a fortnight earlier - Miskell admitted she was playing out a childhood dream at the Jones' Road venue. "To realise that we were actually going to Croke Park, it's a great feeling to actually look at it now and take it all in. "It's a great occasion for the club to get two All-Irelands in the one year. To come to Croke Park with your club and win an All-Ireland is always a dream. When you're small growing up and watching on the telly, this is the dream to get to Croke Park and win." A goalscorer when KC dethroned previous winners Mourneabbey in January, Miskell also shook the net to help her side overcome the challenge of Waterford's Ballymacarbry. She maintained her excellent form against Donaghmoyne, kicking 0-4 from open play to ensure Francie Coleman's side was kept at bay. While she has marked herself out as a player of great attacking abundance, Miskell stressed the importance of having so many high-calibre performers alongside her in the KC ranks. "We don't really have a weak link in our team. We lost a few girls last year. Girls have come in and you wouldn't even know the difference. Everyone is as strong as each other. Even in our training, there has only been a point between challenge games that we've had with each other. It's very competitive there. It's good for girls on the bench to push on for the starting team as well." When Donaghmoyne defeated Dublin and Leinster champions Kilmacud Crokes in an All- Ireland semi-final on home soil in November, a strong start to the game paved the way for their eventual 1-11 to 0-7 win. With just under 20 minutes gone on the clock, the Farney women had developed a convincing seven-point buffer and never looked back from there. KC were the ones to find their feet in Croke Park in December however, registering four unanswered points (including one from Miskell) inside the opening five minutes of the action. A couple of inspirational scores from Cora Courtney kept Donaghmoyne in touch, but KC kicked on either side of the interval to establish an insurmountable advantage. "When we were looking at Donaghmoyne "WE WERE A FEW POINTS UP AT HALF-TIME, SO THAT GAVE US A COMFORTABLE LEAD. WE KNEW COMING OUT IN THE SECOND HALF THAT WE REALLY NEEDED TO PUT THE FOOT DOWN AGAIN, BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO COME AT US ALL GUNS BLAZING." Images clockwise from top: 1 Amy Garland of Donaghmoyne kicks a point despite the attention of Katelyn Mee of Kilkerrin-Clonberne 2 Ailish Morrissey of Kilkerrin-Clonberne in action against Eileen McElroy of Donaghmoyne. 3 Ailish Morrissey of Kilkerrin- Clonberne. 4 Eileen McElroy of Donaghmoyne in action against Nicola Ward of Kilkerrin- Clonberne. 5 Claire Dunleavy of Kilkerrin-Clonberne MATCH Review