Fourth All-Ireland in a row for magnificent Kildare side
MU Barnhall are the Energia All-Ireland Junior Cupwinners for the fourth year in a row. All Photos: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.
MU Barnhall overcame first-time finalists Enniskillen on Sunday afternoon in Dundalk to successfully retain the Energia All-Ireland Women’s Junior Cup - their fourth title in a row.
Niamh Fitzgerald’s side made history as Barnhall extended their remarkable winning streak in the competition which stretches all the way back to 2023 when they saw off Tullamore to take home the crown.
The Kildare club beat Galway's Tuam Oughterard in 2024 and Belfast club Malone in 2025 before taking another Ulster scalp this time around, scoring an eye-watering 50 points in the process.
It has been another exciting route to the final for Barhall, beating Shannon 60-12 in the quarter-finals and backing that up with a hard-fought 36-27 victory over Queen’s University in the semis.
Enniskillen had similar results in their run to the decider, beating Balbriggan and Tuam 27-14 to book their first ever All-Ireland final.
The Fermanagh club got off to a great start as well, with tries from Zara Flack and Chloe Moore giving Enniskillen an early lead, but Barnhall, guided by co-captains Katelynn Doran and Órfhlaith Murray, made a powerful comeback and it was the champions who led 22-12 at half time.
Moore touched down for her second try, with Sophie Meeke converting to close the gap. But despite their strong start, Enniskillen could not contain their superior opponents, with Barhall eventually running in six tries to bring their tally up to the half century.
Inside centre Abby Healy was the star of the show for the Leixlip club, going over for two tries and scoring an impressive 20 points off the tee through four penalties and four conversions to bring her tally to an outstanding 30 points for the day.
Prolific winger Amy Rushton also scored a brace, running in her sixth and seventh tries of the competition.
Barhall's scoring was completed by one try apiece from full back Lia Branigan and outside centre Emma Brogan to bring the curtain down on another sensational triumph for the club.
It would take a brave person to bet against Barnhall returning next year to win an unprecedented fifth straight All-Ireland crown.
Lia Branigan (1 try); Amy Rushton (2 tries), Emma Brogan (1 try), Abby Healy (2 tries, 4 pens, 4 cons), Emer Sweetnam; Órfhlaith Murray, Uxue Merino; Hope Lowney, Emily Byrne, Rebecca Francis; Anna Mai O’Brien, Aoibhe Curran; Claire Burke, Prudence Isaac, Katelynn Doran.
Laoise McAuley, Louise Byrne, Sinéad Farrell, Kelly Burke, Alannah Fraser, Alex Casey, Méabh Collins, Sarah Boyce Donohoe.
Dearbhla Dillon; Amy Meeke, Zara Flack (1 try), Lucy Thompson, Scarlett Keys; Farrah Cartin McCloskey, Sophie Meeke (2 cons); Sarah Adams, Katie Elliott, Sophie Barrett, Moya Hill, Kelly Beacom, Sara Hamilton, Rebecca Beacom, Sarah Teague.
Cora Balfour, Ciara Woods, Chloe Moore (2 tries), Kelly Quinn, Madeline Hamill, Alex Kernaghan, Eve Balfour.
