Soccer round-up: Mayo Women's League
Manulla will look to retain their Rumley Cup against old rivals Castlebar Town in the final later this month after both came through their respective semi-finals last Friday.
The Eco Powered Cabinets Mayo Women's League divisional cup semi-finals were completed on Friday evening, with the finals taking place on the weekend of July 26/27.
In the Rumley Cup, Manulla will play Castlebar Town in the final after defeating Conn Rangers 4-1.
The Mary Walsh Cup final will feature Killala and Kiltimagh Knock United, with the north Mayo side seeing off Westport United 4-2 and KK inflicting a second defeat this season on Division 1 league leaders Kilmore, also on a 4-2 margin.
The Division 2 Cup final will be contested by Ballina Town and Achill Rovers. League toppers Ballina won 1-0 at home to Crossmolina on Friday, with a penalty shootout needed to separate Achill and Glenhest Rovers to decide the finalists.
In the Premier Division's Rumley Cup, goals either side of half-time for Manulla left their visitors facing a big task, with Lauren McLellan (two) and Aoife Brennan on the scoresheet.
After falling a goal behind on 18 minutes, Conn leaked a second goal on the stroke of half-time and almost immediately on the restart.
They replied through Eimhear Gorman on 50 minutes and held their own for the rest of the half, only for Manulla to nick a fourth goal by Hannah Prendergast with eight minutes left to play.
The Division 1 Mary Walsh Cup ties were hard to call, with Kiltimagh Knock and Westport having defeated their respective opponents in recent weeks. KK, at full strength, have really found their rhythm, while Westport will always provide a battle.
In Knock, the home side were 2-0 up after half an hour from a Hana Ueno goal that took a deflection and Shona Mahon with a wonderfully executed strike.
But Kilmore's Kathrina Barrett won't be found wanting if there's an inch of space, and goals on 39 and 43 minutes sent the teams in even at the break in a half that went to and fro in terms of ascendancy at times, but KK created more scoring chances.
They brought the game to Kilmore in the second half, where a goal from Kayla Doherty on 68 minutes and another late on saw them through to the final.
Down in Killala, Ashling Duffy registered a goal for the visitors on the quarter hour mark. But Alva Munnelly was to prove the difference between the sides, with an equaliser 10 minutes later before going on to complete a hat-trick.
At 2-1, Westport did pull a goal back to level matters with half an hour left but two late Killala goals - 85th and 88th minute - negated any need for extra time.
In the Division 2 Cup, league champions elect Ballina Town had a hard-fought victory over Crossmolina at breezy Belleek. Kayla Salami continued her good form this season with the only goal of the game 21 minutes into it.
For league newbies Achill and Glenhest, the battle of the Rovers was to end in penalties with no breaking the deadlock after extra-time.
Achill booked their place in the final on a 4-1 scoreline, the winning penalties put home by Ciara Corrigan, Jemma Western, Realtín McHugh and Aine Murphy.
The focus now turns to the finals, all taking place in Umbro Park, Milebush, which are scheduled as follows.
Saturday, July 26, at 6.30pm, Ballina Town v Achill Rovers.
Sunday, July 27, 11.30am, Killala v Kiltimagh Knock United.
Sunday, July 27, 2pm, Castlebar Town v Manulla.
Kilmore progressed to the semi-finals of the McHale Agri, Forest & Garden Mayo Women's Cup with a 3-1 win over Swinford in one of two rescheduled fixtures.
The visitors to Erris made a bright start when Ciara Forkan opened the scoring on 19 minutes. But, as things transpired, it turned out to be Swinford's only score of the night.
It took Kilmore until the second half before they got on the score sheet but when they did, their three goals came in quick succession in an 11-minute spell.
Kathrina Barrett restored parity on 52 minutes, with Liadh McGrath pushing the home side ahead on 60, and Barrett again made it 3-1 with 63 minutes played.
For Swinford, there was to be no comeback and the north Mayo side progress.
Castlebar Town also kept their cup aspirations on track with a 2-0 win over Killala. The Dowling sisters continued their goal-scoring momentum with goals from Amy, on 61 minutes, and Cliodhna, 80th minute.
The semi-finals are down for decision on Friday, August 1, and following the draw the matchups are as follows:
- Manulla v Castlebar Town, Kiltimagh Knock United v Kilmore.
- Conn Rangers v Straide & Foxford United, Crossmolina v Fahy Rovers.
The finals will take place on August 17.
The Hayes Mechanical & Engineering U19 Girls League gets underway this (Monday) evening, with all games kicking off at 7.30pm. Fixtures are as follows: Ballyvary Blue Bombers v Westport United, Ballina Town v Snugboro United, Castlebar Town v Ballyglass, Swinford v Killala, Manulla v Conn Rangers.
The draw for the first round of the U19 Cup has been made, with games being played on Friday, August 22.
The fixtures are: Westport United v Castlebar Town, Ballyvary Blue Bombers v Ballyglass, Ballina Town v Killala, Swinford v Conn Rangers, Manulla v Snugboro United.
Manulla v Straide & Foxford United, Conn Rangers v Castlebar Town.
Kiltimagh Knock United v Killala.
Fahy Rovers v Crossmolina, Achill Rovers v Glenhest Rovers
