Joy for Johnny's girls as meteoric rise continues

Claremorris manager Johnny Cummins was understandably in fantastic spirits as his side won the club’s first ever intermediate championship title on Sunday.

They announced themselves to the Mayo football community at large by capturing the junior title in 2023 and have worked away at intermediate level the past two seasons, falling short in the semi-final in 2024. However, they were not to be denied in 2025 as they toppled MacHale Rovers after a brilliant, bruising and frantic battle at MacHale Park.

Cummins dished out praise upon his squad after their latest triumph, a three-point victory against the North Mayo outfit.

“From 1 to 25 they were outstanding today. They dug it out, their backs were to the wall but they never gave in and that’s the thing about this team, they keep going and going and got their reward at the end,” he said.

All-Star nominee Sinead Walsh got MacHale Rovers off to a flying start with a goal after twelve seconds but Claremorris battled and soon had a goal of their own through Rebecca Kean.

“These girls don’t do things easy,” said Cummins. “MacHale Rovers to their credit had a great start and the girls kept battling. It was a tight first-half and in the second-half, they got into their stride. MacHale Rovers got another great goal but we responded.” 

It was a nervy ending for Claremorris after Annie Gough’s goal brought the opposition to within two points but Laura Kelly stepped up, scoring a point and taking vital seconds off the clock to aid the Claremorris cause. Her manager said she showed great awareness in these closing moments.

“Laura is one of our more experienced girls and had a great year for us. The last ball, she brought it into the corner. It shows you what she can do,” he said.

Claremorris enjoyed a run to an All-Ireland final in 2023 after beating Leitrim champions St Brigid’s in the Connacht final. They fell short against O’Donovan Rossa of Cork at Parnell Park but Sunday’s victory puts them back in the provincial picture again.

Cummins said they are keeping their feet on the ground and taking each game as it comes.

“We’ll celebrate tonight and maybe tomorrow but we’ll get back on the horse Wednesday evening and worry about what’s next for us then,” he said.