It was a night of celebration for Éire Óg ladies footballers recently, and they had every reason to celebrate.
The night was five years in the making as they finally won the Cork Credit Unions Club Senior Ladies Football championship for the first time.
It has been heartbreak after heartbreak for the Ovens side, having lost four finals in a row before they eventually prevailed.
The 2024 loss to Aghada was particularly tough to take as it took a shoot-out to separate them and Aghada.
Senior players with their management team at the Éire Óg Ladies Football Club senior county winning championship dinner at The Kingsley Hotel. Picture: Larry Cummins
Roll on 2025, and the same two sides made the decider again.
One thing you are guaranteed when these two sides meet is a great game and 2025 was no exception.
Even at that, it still took a replay and extra time before they finally got their hands on the cup.
The first day out the sides couldn’t be separated, and it was the same case after 60 minutes in the replay. Both had their chances to win it, but a draw was probably a fair result at that stage.
However, in extra-time Éire Óg drove on, inspired by the likes of Shauna Cronin, to win by 1-12 to 1-8.
The Cleary sisters, Emma and Laura, also got in on the scoring act with Lisa Murphy getting their all-important goal.
Sisters Laura and Emma Cleary with their dad John Cleary, Cork senior football manager, at the Éire Óg Ladies football senior county winning championship dinner at The Kingsley Hotel. Picture: Larry Cummins
At the other end, Ruby Halligan made several important saves and no doubt all these were recalled as they celebrated their win at the Kingsley Hotel.
Years of hard work paid off for the club, and with success at minor and U21 level as well over the last two years, the future is bright for Éire Óg.