Brilliant Ballina too strong for islanders
Ballina Town, Eco Powered Cabinets Division 2 Cup winners 2025. Pictures: Cillian Staunton
Ballina Town delivered a commanding performance on Saturday evening to claim the first-ever Division 2 Cup title in Umbro Park. Unbeaten in league competition this season, the North Mayo outfit came into the final as favourites and they certainly lived up to expectations.
It was always going to be a difficult task for Achill, who were playing in their first season with a women’s senior team. Still, they can be proud of reaching the final at their first attempt. On the day, however, Ballina simply had too much quality across the pitch.
Ballina started strongly and controlled much of the opening half, aided by a light breeze. Just two minutes in, Kayla Salami applied early pressure, winning possession high up the pitch to set up Maria O’Brien, who dragged her shot narrowly wide.
That early pressure paid off just two minutes later. A perfectly weighted through ball split the Achill defence and found Rebecca Brudenall, who slotted coolly into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0.
The front three of Salami, O’Brien, and Brudenall were lively and constantly threatened the Achill backline. However, Achill’s captain, Aoife Kilbane, put in a valiant shift at centre-back, making several key interceptions across the 90 minutes.
Up front, Achill's Kayla Connaghan was a constant outlet, chasing long balls and using her pace to threaten in behind. However, Ballina goalkeeper Mary Le Roux was quick off her line, sweeping up danger effectively.
Ballina continued to mount pressure as the half progressed. Midfielder and player of the match, Farrah Giblin, formerly of Sligo Rovers, was instrumental in Ballina’s dominance, delivering dangerous set-pieces and controlling the tempo. In the 25th minute, Brudenall got on the end of one of Giblin’s free-kicks, forcing a fine save from Achill goalkeeper Mairead Corrigan.
Despite defending deep, Achill worked hard in midfield, with Keira Corrigan battling to break up Ballina’s rhythm. However, just before the break, Brudenall again came close, firing just wide from a difficult angle, as Ballina took a 1-0 lead into half-time after a composed and dominant opening 45 minutes.
The second half began with the same intensity, with Ballina pressing high and looking dangerous. Within two minutes, Maria O’Brien set up Salami, who doubled the lead with a well-taken finish. Salami continued to torment the Achill defence but once again, Kilbane stood firm, making crucial blocks.
In the 53rd minute, Ballina made it 3-0. This time, captain Mollie Doherty rose highest to head home a pinpoint Giblin free kick, giving her side a comfortable cushion. As the half wore on, Ballina introduced fresh legs, with substitutes making immediate impacts and maintaining the high tempo.
To their credit, Achill never gave up. In the 74th minute, Kayla Connaghan raced onto a long ball, but her shot was just over the crossbar.
Ballina sealed the win five minutes later. After Achill were unable to clear their lines, Salami showed brilliant footwork and composure to fire in her second and Ballina’s fourth of the evening.
From there, Ballina saw out the game by maintaining calm possession to ensure that they lifted the Division 2 Cup and brought silverware back to North Mayo.
Ballina Town; Mary Le Roux; Sheila Garvin, Zara Daly, Mollie Doherty, Ellie Heverin, Farrah Giblin, Margaret Bonner, Hope Gillespie, Kayla Salami, Maria O’Brien, Rebecca Brudenall.
Subs; Emma Tolan (for Bonner ht), Margaret Giblin (for Brudenall 54), Marie O’ Connor (for Garvin 54), Kathryn Carolan (for Gillespie 73), Lorraine O’Malley Foley (for Salami, 80).
Achill Rovers: Mairead Corrigan, Leah McNamara, Aine Murphy, Aoife Kilbane, Jemma Western, Kiera Corrigan, Eilis Murphy, Realtin McHugh, Kayla Connaghan, Hannah Cattigan, Katie Duggan. Subs; Erin Corrigan (for Cattigan ht), Muireann McHugh (for Corrigan 69), Katherine McGinty (for Duggan 69), Valeria Samoliuk (for E Murphy 80).
REF: Pearse Concannon.
