Sweeney on song as Knockmore return to top of pile

Mayo LGFA Senior Championship Final 

Knockmore 2-8 

Westport 0-12 

Knockmore fended off a late flurry from Westport to claim a second Mayo senior title in three years in a high-octane final at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence.

After their classic in the Division 1 League Cup final just six weeks ago, another tight tussle between the undisputed top two teams in Mayo ladies football was expected on Saturday.

In the end, the damage was done in the first-half with two first-half goals for the 2021 champions and last year’s runners-up, while at the back, team captain Nina McVann, Emma Lowther and Emily Reape produced inspired performances to starve Westport of opportunities, much less scores.

Leading by nine points with 20 minutes to go, Knockmore looked in full control. But Westport, led by the dynamic Aoife Geraghty in the middle of park, produced a storming fightback and brought the gap back to three coming into the final moments.

Knockmore hearts were in mouths as Geraghty was found free on the right and made her way towards goal. Fortunately for the Saffron and Blue, the Mayo midfielder’s effort flew just over the bar in what would be the final action of the game, as the Knockmore bench and supporters erupted in a mix of elation and relief at the final whistle.

Aoife Staunton had earlier opened Westport’s account before Knockmore were awarded a penalty after Sherin El Massry pulled down Lara Sweeney from a high ball into the Westport goalmouth. Shauna Howley buried the spot kick into the net, which was followed by a Sweeney point (her first score of a 1-3 contribution from play) after she was played in by Cliodhna Flynn.

The loss of Clodagh Keane to a yellow card on eight minutes failed to stop Knockmore’s momentum, as they continued their relentless pressure on Westport, who also lost midfielder Sorcha McCarney to injury on fourteen minutes. Nina McVann sent over points either side of a Laura Moran free, all while Sherin El Massry was sinbinned for Westport.

Emma Lowther and Hannah Reape extended Knockmore’s lead before Saoirse Lally ended Westport long wait for a third point to offer some much needed respite. But Knockmore finished with a flurry as Sarah Mulvihill put through Lara Sweeney for the North Mayo outfit’s second goal, which was followed by a great point from Amy O’Connor, to put Cormac Reape’s side 2-6 to 0-3 ahead at the interval.

Westport’s Laura Moran converted her second free after the restart and the break appeared to do more harm for Knockmore as their accuracy in front of the post began to desert them. Lara Sweeney calmed the nerves on 40 minutes but it would be her side’s final point for fifteen minutes as Westport took control of proceedings.

With the large support roaring them on, Westport hit five points without reply through three Aoife Staunton frees and a point each from Noirin Moran and Lisa Tully to bring the contest back to a single score on 54 minutes, while Knockmore had a Clodagh Keane goal disallowed for an apparent foul by Keane shortly before Staunton’s third free.

Lara Sweeney stepped up once more for Knockmore with a crucial point but the Westport train kept motoring. Katie Chambers and Lisa Tully made it a three point game before Geraghty saw her chance of bringing the final to extra-time sail inches over the bar. The Knockmore celebrations could begin shortly after.

Scorers – Knockmore: Lara Sweeney 1-3, Shauna Howley 1-0 pen, Nina McVann 0-2, Emma Lowther, Amy O’Connor and Hannah Reape 0-1 each.

Westport: Aoife Staunton 0-4 (3f), Laura Moran (2f) and Lisa Tully 0-2 each, Katie Chambers, Noirin Moran, Saoirse Lally and Aoife Geraghty 0-1 each.

Knockmore: Deirdre Devine; Siofragh Kelly, Roisin Flynn, Nina McVann; Emily Reape, Emma Lowther, Sarah Mulvihill; Emily Hughes, Shauna Howley; Amy O’Connor, Hannah Reape, Cliodhna Flynn; Clodagh Keane, Lara Sweeney, Ciara Durkan. Subs: Katie Munnelly (for C Flynn ht), Rachel Fox (for Sweeney 59).

Westport: Roisin Scott; Saoirse Kelly, Nicola O’Malley, Saoirse Lally, Sarah Mulroy, Sherin El Massry, Janette O’Malley; Sorcha McCarney, Aoife Geraghty; Lisa Tully, Noirin Moran, Fionnuala McLaughlin; Aoife Staunton, Laura Moran, Saoirse Ludden. Subs: Katie Chambers (for McCarney 14, inj), Aoife Kennedy (for Tully 59).

REF: Ger Canny