Champions prevail in West Mayo derby
Aoife Meaney of Westport scored -3 in her side's win against West Mayo rivals Burrishoole.
Two first-half goals did the heavy lifting for Westport against Burrishoole on Sunday but it was in the second-half where the county senior champions put their foot down in terms of control of the game.
The visitors scored five points without reply in the second-half that left Burrishoole, already trailing, firmly in the rearview mirror despite a late goal for the hosts.
Points were at a premium in the opening stages however. Larissa Kelly got one for Westport in the opening minute, replied to by Leona Ryder after five, but that would be it for some time.
Hannah Sheehy and Annie McGreevy had good efforts for Burris’ blocked and drop just short respectively while at the other end, Kelly smashed an effort off the post that came back to Saoirse Byrne, whose follow-up drifted wide.
Westport made good on their goal efforts soon as Fionnuala McLaughlin played a pass to Aoife Meaney, who managed to escape the close attention of marker Ciara McManamon, to get in place in front of goal and bury her effort.
Three minutes later, Westport raised another green flag in slightly fortunate circumstances as Christina McEvilly’s effort floated over the keeper and into the net.
Two minutes before the break, Leona Ryder scored her and her team’s second point but Westport finished strongly. Aoife Meaney scored back-to-back points to extend the Westport lead to seven going in at the break.
The scores flowed for Westport more freely in the second-half as Rachel Browne and Sarah Mulroy began to pull the strings from midfield.
Larissa Kelly doubled her tally with an effort from play four minutes into the second-half. Katie Chambers, who had terrorised the Burrishoole half-back line with industrious, tireless running, took a well-earned point after 36 minutes. Her half-forward line partner Fionnuala McLaughlin went on a barnstorming run to take the lead into double figures.
Meaney took her tally to 1-3 for the day with a decent point and Saoirse Byrne floated over a free. Grace McDonnell scored to stop the rot for the home side but McLaughlin added another brilliant effort, showing a great burst of pace before finishing with aplomb.
Burrishoole would put some gloss on the scoreboard before the end. Leona Ryder scored her third point of the game and then substitute Niamh O’Malley made an instant impact. Her first touch saw her gather Ryder’s pass, her second saw her smash the ball into the back of the net.
Westport were good value for their win and showed great strength-in-depth with a number of key players off on inter-county duty.
Scorers – Westport: Aoife Meaney 1-3 Christina MacEvilly 1-0, Fionnuala McLaughlin and Larissa Kelly 0-2 each, Katie Chambers and Saoirse Byrne 0-1 each.
Burrishoole: Niamh O’Malley 1-0, Leona Ryder 0-3, Grace McDonnell 0-1.
Burrishoole: Grainne McManamon; Chloe Donnellan, Ciara McManamon, Carla Palasz; Grace McDonnell, Alanna McDonnell, Louise Sheridan; Clodagh McManamon, Jennifer Cawley; Annie McGreevy, Ava Kelly, Hannah Sheehy; Cara O’Neill, Leona Ryder, Caoife Moran. Subs: Alice Chambers, Aoibheann Chambers and Doireann Guilfoyle (for Sheridan, McGreevy and Moran ht), Niamh O’Malley and Kieva Tracey (for Donnellan and O’Neill 54).
Westport: Lauren Cusack; Leila O’Malley, Nicola O’Malley, Emma Conway; Ellie Hyland, Janette O’Malley, Rebecca O’Malley; Sarah Mulroy, Rachel Browne; Katie Chambers, Fionnuala McLaughlin, Larissa Kelly; Christina McEvilly, Aoife Meaney, Saoirse Byrne. Subs: Kate Scahill and Roisin Scott (for N O’Malley and Cusack 41), Lauren Maloney and Maire McDonald (for Meaney and Byrne 43).
REF: Rory Courell
