Killinkere determined to make second chance count
Damien Donohoe
Killinkere are back for another shot at Junior Championship glory and manager Jim Matthews hopes the experience of last year’s final defeat can stand to his side when they face Shercock in this Saturday’s decider.
After losing heavily to Cavan Gaels in the 2025 final, Killinkere endured a difficult league campaign this season, but Matthews always hoped they could rediscover their form when championship arrived.
“Ultimately, you always want to be in the championship final and try to get a win, obviously after losing last year,” Matthews said. “It wasn’t so much hurt from last year. It was more that we didn’t play to our potential. We knew we could have done better and probably should have done better on the day, but it didn’t happen. It’s great to get an opportunity to be back again.”
Captain Grace Smith admits the league did not unfold as Killinkere had hoped, but their focus changed as championship approached.
“We got together during the summer and said we have one shot at this now and we might as well take it,” Smith explained. “We took it game by game and had a lot of tough games. It was good to get those tight games before a game like this weekend.”
That resilience was particularly evident in the semi-final. Killinkere trailed at half-time and were forced to dig deep before eventually booking their return to the decider.
“We knew we had to turn up because we kind of didn’t in the first half,” Smith said.
“We just said we had to get together and get over the line.” Matthews expects another significant challenge from Shercock. While Killinkere have the recent experience of county final day, he dismisses any suggestion their opponents lack experience.
“They have great experience amongst their team and lots of girls have played county,” he said. “They’re a strong team and I think they’re very similar to us in ways.”
There is plenty of familiarity too, with players from both clubs having attended Bailieborough Community School and played alongside each other. Killinkere also received a welcome boost with Matthews confirming that Ella Sheridan, who picked up a knock in the semi-final, is expected to be available.
Reaching successive finals represents another important step for a club which only emerged from an amalgamation four years ago. Matthews believes the foundations are now firmly in place, with strong underage talent complementing the existing squad.
“We’re getting great backing from everybody and we have a great committee,” he said. “We’ve got kids coming through and good girls who have had success with their schools and county.”
Last year Killinkere learned the pain of leaving final day empty-handed. Twelve months later, they have earned the opportunity to write a different ending.