Kiltimagh Knock ladies claim Mayo league title in style

Kiltimagh Knock United clinched the Eco Powered Cabinets Mayo Women's League Division One title on Friday evening, with one game left to play.

In an intense game played in Killala, who were still in the running for the title, the visitors edged a 12-goal thriller, 7-5.

KK were out of the blocks like lightning, with Mary Ann Ward and Siofra McGuinness on the scoreboard within three minutes.

But Alva Munnelly doesn't need to be asked twice if she sees sight of goal and she settled the Killala ship with their opening score a quarter-hour in.

KK's teenage duo were to repeat their earlier sequence in the 20th (Ward) and 32nd minutes (McGuinness). But Killala is always a tough place in which to earn a win and when Alison Long scored just before half-time and almost immediately on the restart after the break, it was game very much still on at 4-3.

This season's top scorer, Mary Ann Ward, added two more goals for KK with half an hour to play. But back came Killala with two of their own, Munnelly again and Laura Bilbow, setting up a thrilling last 15 minutes with the score at 6-5.

Siofra McGuinness completed her hat-trick in the 80th minute as KK saw out the match to take the title.

KK, who have only dropped two points in the league, will be presented with their cup on Friday week when they played Castlebar Celtic at CMS Park.

Killala and Celtic are both vying for the runners-ups spot, tied on 18 points apiece, with Killala away to Westport United in the final round.

In last Friday's round, Celtic suffered a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Ballina Town.

Opening the scoring after nine minutes, Celtic's ambitions suffered a setback with a red card for their 'keeper with just 20 minutes on the clock.

Town didn't waste the advantage, with two quick goals on 26 and 28 minutes to lead 2-1 at half-time, and a third followed from Maria O'Brien four minutes after the restart. Celtic's response, however, was also immediate, courtesy of Sarah Jane Kilcawley.

Sophia Cardillo restored Town's advantage in the 64th minute on her way to a hat-trick, as she netted the insurance score two minutes into injury-time after a battling Celtic had pulled one back through Grace Carroll in the 83rd.

There were no material changes in the Premier Division, with just one game going ahead this weekend where Conn Rangers were defeated 2-1 at home by Castlebar Town.

It took 70 minutes for Town to break the deadlock, but Amy Dowling's goal was cancelled out 10 minutes later when Amy Murphy was on target for Conn. It didn't stay that way for long, however, with the second Dowling sister, Louise, popping in what turned out to be the winner just a minute later.

Manulla head the table on 22 points, with both themselves and Straide & Foxford awarded full points in this latest round with Swinford and Kilmore unable to field.

Crossmolina set up an exciting finale to the Division Two season after winning 1-7 away to Achill Rovers. They are now two points (16) behind Snugboro (18), who didn't play last weekend, heading into the final round.

Achill opened brightly with a lovely goal from Kayla Connaghan in the third minute. But their visitors proved too strong, leading 3-1 at half-time through Danielle Kelly (two) and Ruth Queenen, and a further four goals followed in the second half.

The other Rovers - Glenhest - were 1-0 winners over Ballyvary Blue Bombers. An Emily Chambers goal on 15 minutes was the difference between the sides.

Next weekend attention turns to the divisional cup finals, sponsored by Eco-Powered Cabinets and taking place at Umbro Park, Milebush, on Saturday evening and Sunday.

The Division Two Cup final on Saturday at 5.30pm will feature Crossmolina and Achill Rovers, with Cross' still in the running for a league and cup double, and Rovers hoping to go one better than last year.

Tied in second spot in Division One, expect a keen contest between Castlebar Celtic and Killala in the Mary Walsh Cup final on Sunday. The first of a double offering at Milebush, the match kicks off at 11.30am.

And Manulla won't be giving away their Rumley Cup easily when Castlebar Town come knocking in their decider at 2pm.

Elsewhere on Sunday next, Ballyglass face a long trip to Wexford in the quarterfinals of the FAI Women's Amateur Shield. Ferns United provide the opposition. Kick-off is at 2pm.

Ballyglass have performed very well on their travels, seeing out an epic extra-time win down in Limerick in the last round.