Magnificent seven sees Westport retain cup
Westport United, Hayes Mechanical & Engineering U17 Girls Cup champions. Picture: Mayo Women's League
Westport United produced a commanding all-round display to secure the U17 Girls Cup for the second successive year, on Sunday afternoon. A superb hat-trick from Katie Hughes and a standout performance from captain Aoibhinn McNamara proved decisive, as Westport outclassed a spirited Manulla side in a thrilling final.
It was a blistering start, as Westport came flying out of the traps. McNamara was electric from the first whistle, using her pace to break in behind the Manulla defence just four minutes in. Latching onto a perfectly timed through ball from Anna Meaney, McNamara confidently slotted the ball into the net to give the Covies an early lead.
McNamara and Katie Hughes formed a formidable attacking partnership, constantly troubling the Manulla backline and creating promising chances. Westport were solid at the back and clinical going forward, and they capitalised again in the 11th minute. After a slick move, McNamara’s deft first touch took her clear through on goal, but instead of shooting, she unselfishly squared it to Meaney, who made no mistake from close range.
As the half progressed, the girls in blue began to settle into the game. Anna Burton was lively and used her pace to great effect, while Sophie O’Donnell looked dangerous on the left wing. Manulla pulled one back in the 25th minute. Anna Burton whipped in a cross and Lucy English rose highest to nod the ball home.
Encouraged by the goal, Manulla grew in confidence. Burton came close to equalising just a minute later with a long-range effort that whistled over the crossbar. Alongside her, O'Donnell, Lisa English and Grace Mulroy were getting on a lot of ball.
However, Westport struck again before the break. Katie Hughes produced a sensational long-range strike that left Manulla goalkeeper Zoe Smyth with no chance. Both teams pressed for a goal before the interval, and a goal line scramble from Westport before the half-time whistle ensured them a 3-1 lead at the interval.
The second half continued at a high intensity. Manulla came out with real intent, and just four minutes after the restart, Burton rattled the crossbar with a brilliant solo run and shot. A minute later, her efforts paid off as she slipped a clever ball through to Sophie O’Donnell, who calmly slotted it into the bottom corner to make it 3-2.
Despite the rain and mounting pressure, Westport stayed composed. They were playing good football, although a lack of precision in the final third was troubling them. That was until McNamara stepped up again, unleashing a stunning long-range strike in the 57th minute to restore her side’s two-goal cushion.
From there, the girls in red and black took full control. Claire Ryan was tireless in the middle of the park, and the substitutes made an immediate impact. Ruby Brennan added her name to the scoresheet in the 67th minute after a McNamara corner was unsuccessfully cleared by the Manulla defence.
Minutes later, McNamara and Hughes linked up once more, with Hughes grabbing her second of the afternoon. As Manulla began to tire, Hughes sealed her hat-trick, again assisted by the outstanding McNamara, to cap off a dominant performance that ensured cup remained in Westport.
