'She was with us every minute of today': Athenry dedicate All-Ireland to memory of Katie Moran

The 20-year-old died tragically while playing with the Galway side in 2022.

Athenry’s Dervla Higgins lifts the trophy. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Athenry (Galway) 0-14 St Finbarr’s (Cork) 0-12 

Joe Rabbitte dedicated Athenry’s memorable AIB All-Ireland senior camogie club victory to Kate Moran (20), who died tragically while playing with her club in 2022.

“This is for Kate. Is that any good?” the manager asked. “It’s all we can do. If we could get her back, we would throw back the All-Ireland medals, but that is not the way it goes. Kate will never leave our minds.

“You can only cry so much. You have to move on a bit.

“She is the 16th player. Cathal, her father that I know very well and Mary, he sent me a beautiful little message after the last game with a pink flower.” 

Saturday capped an unforgettable season for Galway camogie. High points were already achieved through All-Ireland U16, U23 and senior success. An outstanding performance in a freezing-cold FBD Semple Stadium added the Bill and Agnes Carroll Cup. They waited since 1977 for this treasured piece of silverware in a come-from-behind triumph.

Having led 0-7 to 0-5 at half time, they were staring down the barrel of defeat after going four down at the end of the third quarter. They hadn’t scored since half-time in a contest where every flag was earned.

St Finbarr’s, meanwhile, had fired six-in-a-row to go 0-11 to 0-7 up.

But in the 48th, 49th, 54th, 58th and 62nd minute, the westerners moved in front with sisters Olwen and Sabina Rabbitte, Therese Donohue and Kerri O’Driscoll the finishers.

When Sorcha McCartan (scored 0-6) equalised in a pulsating finish, they had to go back to the well again, 0-12 apiece.

Clodagh Burke scored her third point, and in the 65th minute, 36-year-old Jessica Gill nailed a tricky free from distance that had the vocal crowd of 2,590 on the edge of their seats.

In the fourth quarter plus stoppage, they outscored their opponents seven points to one.

Legends Gill and 44-year-old Therese Donohue (45 in March) would claim a first All-Ireland club medal.

“So proud of all the girls,” captain Dervla Higgins said. “The game was so close and St Finbarr’s seemed to get a purple patch in the second half but by God did our girls come back and finish it off in style.

“We showed on the last day we can finish strong. I knew if we could get one score to settle us, we would finish strong.” 

The last day refers to the drawn match in Croke Park before Christmas when they dramatically scored 1-3 at the death to negate a six-point Barrs lead.

The Cork and Munster champions will see that as a missed opportunity. They had previously shown ability to overcome adversity claiming two extra, extra-time victories in the championship.

“They died with their boots on today,” St Finbarr’s manager Brian O’Sullivan acknowledged. “I don’t think they could do any more. The lift they have given to the club, you couldn’t fault them. I’ve nothing but admiration for them and the way they have conducted themselves all year. No excuses from us, it is Athenry’s day.” 

The Athenry defensive endeavours cannot be underestimated too. Alex Ferguson’s famous quote ’attack wins you games, defence wins you titles’ springs to mind.

“Coming back and winning the replay is unbelievable. And to do it the way we did. We went down six points the last time and drew, and went down four this time and came back to win by two. It’s the will and determination that the girls have. They are just a fantastic bunch. What we have to do is steer the ship and make sure that things are available for them. It is a brilliant day for Athenry camogie,” noted Rabbitte.

“A year of dreams,” added defender Higgins, who was also nominated for a prestigious county Player of the Year award in 2025. “When you’re in it, it happens so quickly. I can’t wait to sit down in a few days and look back on it and let it try and sink in.

“We always carry the Moran family with us and Kate will always be a part of our club. I’m sure she was with us every minute of today so to do it is that bit special. Kate Moran is with us every single day.” 

Scorers for Athenry: S Rabbitte (0-4, 0-1 45, 0-2 frees), C Burke (0-3), J Gill (0-2, 0-1 free), K Madden, T Donohue, O Rabbitte, K O’Driscoll, E McGlynn (0-1 each).

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: S McCartan (0-6, 0-5 frees), K Wall and O Cahalane (0-2 each) E Hurley and N Olden (0-1 each)).

ATHENRY: L Freeney; T Kilkenny, K Screene, D Higgins (Capt); L Casserly, O Rabbitte, S Feeney; K Madden, E McGlynn; T Donohue, J Gill, E Keane; K O’Driscoll, S Rabbitte, C Burke.

Subs: A Jordan for E Keane (47), M Noone for E McGlynn (52).

ST FINBARR’S: C Hurley; S Punch (Capt), A Egan, A O’Neill; G Cahalane, M Cahalane, S Daly; A Shannon, K McCarthy; N Olden, K Wall, H O’Leary; O Cahalane, S McCartan, E Hurley.

Subs: C Golden for S Daly (half-time), E Wigginton Barrett for E Hurley (54), L O’Donovan for N Olden (58).

Referee: Brian Kearney (Kildare).