Pictured with their All-Ireland Community Games silver medals are: middle row, left to right, Millie Ward, Cara Rooney, Mollie Kelly, Caoibhe Duffy. Front Row, from left, Sophie Fallon, Ella Conway, Kate Shine, Sally Allen, Sarah-Jane Dunne, Katie Keegan. Coaches Paula Duffy and Joe Dunne are pictured in the back row.

Drum/Clonown/Monksland a whisker away from All-Ireland glory

Published: Wed 26 Aug 2026, 3:55 PM

The Under-12 girls from Drum/Clonown/Monksland area came extremely close to All-Ireland glory at last weekend's Cairn Community Games National Championships Finals in Carlow.

Having already won the county and provincial titles, a brilliant performance in the semi-finals saw the Roscommon representatives beat the Leinster champions, from Longford, after extra time and penalties. The local team won 4-2 on penalties with Sally Allen, Sarah-Jane Dunne, Katie Keegan and Cara Rooney scoring. Goalkeeper Millie Ward also saved two penalties in the shoot-out.

After a short break, said co-manager Joe Dunne, the girls had to play the Munster champions, from Limerick, in the final. He said the girls gave everything and it was 3-2 in the closing minutes before tiredness kicked in against a more fresher team. The girls from the team are affiliated to local clubs Bealnamulla, Moore Utd, St Francis and St Joseph’s.

Joe described the occasion as a 'very proud day for the local area', as the area's Under-10 boys Gaelic football team also won silver.