Westport remain team to beat as ladies prepare for liftoff
Knockmore attacker Lara Sweeney says the team's focus is solely on next Sunday's first round senior championship clash with newcomers Claremorris. Picture: SJ Photography
Only one question should be asked about the 2026 Mayo ladies senior football championship: can any team stop Westport completing a three in-a-row?
Since winning a first ever senior championship in 2024, Westport have been nigh-on unstoppable. They won a treble last year, claiming the Division 1 and PJ Loftus Memorial League titles before defeating great rivals Knockmore once again to retain the Jimmy Corbett Perpetual Cup.
They are on course for the same treble once again, having won the Division 1 League and PJ Loftus Memorial League finals, both coming against Knockmore, and it would come as a big shock should they not reach the final stages of championship once again.
This championship will be historic no matter what happens as the new rules will be used for the first time. Players got to experience the new playing rules in the Memorial Leagues and Westport manager Pop Geraghty believes everyone is excited about the new changes.
“The more quality that's across both games is better. Solo and go and items like that are bringing a lot of tempo, and the three up. I think allowing more physicality in the tackle is a really big one because I think that's been crying out in the ladies game for the last number of years.
“It gives the referees more kind of clarity in allowing stuff so that's great to see. I think the players are just excited there. They're just loving football and looking forward to getting going.”
Westport, who are in Group A along with Charlestown, Kilmovee Shamrocks and Castlebar Mitchels, begin their campaign away to Mitchels next Sunday afternoon – and the Coveys know they have a big target on their back.
With Round 2 a week later, the unrivalled depth of Westport’s squad will be a big advantage. Minor players have been used in the league games to bolster a side that includes Mayo stars Aoife Geraghty, Sherin El Massry and Aoife Staunton.
“You kind of need that [depth]. You need your experienced players but the youth always gives that bit of spurt and energy as well and fairness to our girls, they're brilliant with the younger players. They bring them in, they put their hand around them, they make them feel part of the crew and that gives them an opportunity and an environment then to just go out and enjoy football and playing it and that's great.
“You need squads. It's always intense and there's always knocks and niggles. From a selfish point of view as manager, it just drives competitiveness as well. It keeps everyone on the toes. It makes my job probably a bit harder, but that's the way you want it to be because everyone is pushing for a jersey.”
Across in Group B, Knockmore’s preparations for championship have been rocked following the departure of Joe Brolly as manager last week, having only been appointed six months ago.
While Knockmore forward Lara Sweeney did not discuss the reasons why the former pundit and Derry footballer had left his post at last Thursday’s championship launch in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, she said all focus was on their opening game against senior newcomers Claremorris on Sunday.
“We've a great backroom team, we've great people in Knockmore and we've had great support. So honestly, it's been great. We've a great team. We stick together and all we're looking forward to is our game against Claremorris.”
The game has the potential to be a banana skin. The 2023 All-Ireland junior finalists defeated MacHale Rovers to win the intermediate title last year and Sweeney is aware of the threats the likes of Mayo panellists Bree Hession and Isobel Phillips can bring.
“We won't shy away from it. They're good team, they came up from junior to intermediate and they're flying. They've had really successful years. We won't look past that game.”
Knockmore are still expected to come out of Group B and should they do so, a meeting of Knockmore and Westport again in a final is a real possibility, with Westport having had their number in recent meetings. Sweeney knows well of their threat but with Claremorris and established senior sides Hollymount and Burrishoole also in their group, top priority is getting past the group stage first.
“Westport haven’t won two county titles for nothing. They're a great team, they're a great side. We're just taking one game at a time and looking at each game. We won't look too far ahead.”
