Martina McMahon equals All-Ireland Ladies Senior Softball record with fifth win

The Limerick woman defeated her long term rival on Saturday in Roscommon.

Limerick’s Martina McMahon made history on Saturday afternoon in beating Catriona Casey in the 2022 All-Ireland Ladies Senior Softball Championship Final.

McMahon’s 21-13, 21-18 win sealed a record equalling fifth All-Ireland title as she joined Casey on the mark.

McMahon and Casey wrote another intriguing story in their epic rivalry with the duo dominating the sport since meeting in the 2014 final.

But, Saturday belonged to McMahon as she made it four titles on the trot. Yet, the Limerick native isn’t content to rest on her laurels as she aims to be back at the same stage next year.

The feat is all the more incredible when her recent injury troubles are considered. McMahon suffered a back injury during the lockdown that could have potentially ended her career.

However, she adapted her game to return to the pinnacle of the sport as she told GAAHandball.ie.

“I’m not where I was before but it’s all about trying to adapt my game now, finding out what I can and can’t do. But you know me, nothing is going to change my game away from shooting from any angle. Whether I can bend down or not, I’m still going to go for kills.

“On Saturday I might be injured, I might be like a geriatric around the place but my mind is still focused on bringing that title home. If I have to die or be carried out of the court, I’ll be carried out but I’m definitely not going to go down without a fight.”

In St Colman’s Handball Club, Casey was the first off the mark before McMahon hit back with three on the bounce. Casey briefly took the lead once more at 4-5 but the Limerick ace rallied with three in a row. Casey levelled at 7 apiece before McMahon took control moving 11-7 clear. She extended that to 16-9 before going on to win the first set 21-13.

The second was a tighter affair despite McMahon’s blistering start. Each of the first four points went the way of the Limerick native as she raced into an early lead. But the Cork woman hit back with three of her own before levelling at 7-7 like it was in the first set. They were level once more at 11 all. But McMahon then began her surge towards the title, firing off seven point in a row to take a commanding lead. Yet, Casey wasn’t finished and she hit six on the bounce to draw level at 19 apiece. But the champion retained her crown for the fourth time, closing out the game with three in a row to match her opponents tally of All-Ireland titles.

With doubles on the horizon, McMahon has unfinished business but was delighted to get over the line against Casey and is hopeful to be back on the same stage next year regardless of injuries.

“I’m delighted to finish on a high. The singles was the one I wanted and thankfully got over the line.

“All going well with the back I will be back. I’m stubborn out so I’m not giving up just yet.

You can watch the game in full below.