Westport on top in high-stakes battle with rivals Knockmore
Westport players celebrate at the final whistle of the Mayo LGFA Division 1 Cup Final in Bekan last Sunday. Pictures: David Farrell Photography
Westport broke away from Knockmore in the closing stages of the first half, scoring two quick goals and opening a gap that the Parish of the Backs could not find a way to close in the second half.
Knockmore tried to counteract Westport's advantage after the break but for every point they scored, Westport were able to hit back and never looked like surrendering their lead.
This Division 1 final was a repeat of last year’s county final, in which Westport were victorious by a single point, but Sunday’s encounter in sunny Bekan was far clearer cut and once again in favour of the Coveys.
Saoirse Ludden got the Blues up and running within the opening minutes with a point from play to which Amy O’Connor replied for Knockmore. Laura Moran and Aoife Staunton hit back to put Westport ahead by two points as the game began to spring into life.
Knockmore scored the next three without reply as Ciara Durkan nailed a long-range effort, Grace Naughton scored a peach from play and Lara Sweeney fired over a free. Katie Chambers levelled matters for Westport, who exploded into life towards the back end of the second half.
Fionnuala McLoughlin and Laura Moran put them two in front once more before Amy O’Connor got one back for Knockmore. However, Westport’s reply was deadly and Aoife Staunton would soon hit the back of the net for her sides opening goal, catching out Anne Murphy with a long-range effort.
Laura Moran hit a purple patch, which would go a long way towards ultimately earning her the player of the match award, and scored 1-2 up to the half time whistle. Katie Chambers did trojan work to set the sharpshooter up for her second goal of the afternoon.
It brought Westport to half time with a nine-point lead that already looked ominous from a Knockmore point of view. Three minutes into the second half, Lara Sweeney scored her second point of the day for Knockmore.
Moran replied against for a rampant Westport and Ludden struck again. Westport were able to cut through the Knockmore ranks far too easily with the likes of Saoirse Lally and Fionnuala McLoughlin making lung-bursting runs through the heart of the opposition without difficulty.
Amy O’Connor was back among the points again for Knockmore but Moran hit her best effort yet, thundering over a shot from distance.
The Saffron & Blue were still tipping away and playing positive football, yielding them the next two points courtesy of Sweeney once more. Aoife Staunton added to her earlier goal with a well-taken point from play. Amy O’Connor popped over for Knockmore and captain Sarah Mulvihill raised another white flag before the next Westport score, their third goal, sapped away whatever hope they had remaining.
Westport reacted quickly to turnover a wayward Knockmore kickout. Aoife Staunton buried it to put the result beyond doubt. Sweeney scored three more points to extend her personal tally to 0-7. The day, however, belonged well and truly to Westport and they were good value for the victory.
