Big guns turn the tide as Westport retain league crown
Westport, Mayo LGFA Division 1 senior league champions. Picture: Westport Ladies Gaelic Club
Knockmore were on the receiving end of another Westport comeback last Sunday afternoon as they came from behind to win the Mayo LGFA Division 1 League Cup at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence.
Westport did the league and championship double last year – defeating Knockmore in both deciders - after they came from behind to defeat the Saffron and Blue in the Mayo senior championship final last October and another comeback win here sees a back-to-back double on the cards, as well as cementing Pop Geraghty’s side as the team to beat come championship later in the summer.
It was not all plain sailing for the Coveys as Joe Brolly’s Knockmore side had an excellent start to the game, leading 2-3 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter. But Westport’s strength in depth is the envy of all in the county, with current Mayo panelists Aoife Geraghty, Sherin El Massry and Aoife Staunton all sprung off the bench to change the tide of this contest.
Westport were not without goal chances themselves in the first half, with goalkeeper Grace Naughton pulling off a great save on one occasion, but once Laura Moran found the net with five minutes of the first half remaining, it put them in a good position to attack Knockmore in the second half which they did in convincing fashion.
Clodagh Keane and Hannah Reape got the opening scores for Knockmore but Westport, had the aid of the breeze in the first half, were back on level terms in the 10th minutes thanks to Moran and Fionnuala McLaughlin.
Knockmore were back in front thanks to Lara Sweeney, a free, before Amy O’Connor scored two terrific goals to put Knockmore seven clear. The distance looked against her for both efforts, but the pace and power on both shots left Roisin Scott with no chance.
A free from Laura Moran stemmed the tide but the red-hot O'Connor replied with one form play to make it 2-4 to 0-3 with 18 minutes gone.
Westport decided to ring the changes early, with El Massry and Geraghty brought on and both made a big impact to shore up the defence and midfield respectively. They went on the attack from here thanks to points by Saoirse Ludden and Moran. It was the latter who punished a loose Knockmore kickout to find the net and close the gap to two points on 25 minutes, but late scores by Lara Sweeney, a free, and Sarah Mulvihill meant Knockmore led 2-6 to 1-5 at the interval.
With El Massry adding stability to the backline and Geraghty’s steel and ball-winning capabilities in the middle, Westport made their next change in attack through Aoife Staunton. But it was another of their forwards who turned the game on its head as Laura Moran fired in another two goals, either side of Lara Sweeney point for Knockmore, to put the west Mayo ladies 3-5 to 2-7 in front ten minutes into the second half.
While there was only one point separating the sides, only one winner looked likely from here. Aoife Geraghty added a point before Moran struck 1-2 to take her personal tally to 4-5 for the day.
Aoife Staunton and substitute Katie Hughes would soon split the posts in response to points from Sweeney, Mulvihill and Clodagh Keane to leave the gap at six with time ticking away.
Knockmore did had a chance to set up a tense finale when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Sweeney. However, the same player saw her effort go just wide as Westport’s recent dominance over their rivals was confirmed.
Scorers – Westport: Laura Moran 4-5 (0-3f), Saoirse Ludden, Fionnuala McLuaghlin, Aoife Geraghty, Aoife Staunton and Katie Hughes 0-1 each.
Knockmore: Amy O’Connor 2-1, Lara Sweeney 0-4 (3f), Clodagh Keane and Sara Mulvihill 0-2 each, Hannah Reape 0-1.
Westport: Roisin Scott; Kate Scahill, Nicola O'Malley, Rebecca O'Malley; Ellie Hyland, Janette O'Malley, Emma Conway; Rachel Browne, Larissa Kelly; Katie Chambers, Christina MacEvilly, Fionnuala McLaughlin; Lisa Scahill, Saoirse Ludden, Laura Moran.
Subs used: Sherin El Massry, Aoife Geraghty, Sorcha McCarney, Aoife Staunton, Ava Lambert, Saoirse Kelly, Katie Hughes, Aoibhinn McNamara, Saoirse Byrne.
Knockmore: Grace Naughton; Caitlin Bourke, Emily Hughes, Siofraigh Kelly; Emily Reape, Roisin Flynn, Mia Traynor; Sarah Mulvihill, Cliodhna Flynn; Ciara Durkan, Lara Sweeney, Hannah Reape; Amy O'Connor, Clodagh Keane, Emily Coleman.
Subs used: Clodagh Breslin, Marie Breslin, Sarah Dempsey.
REF: Garryowen McMahon (Davitts).
