Sports briefs: Ladies get new season underway
Manulla may be counting down to a Connacht Cup final appearance but they were made fight every inch of the way just to get the defence of the Mayo League title off to a winning start.
Soccer: Title holders Manulla got their 2024 Mayo Women’s Premier Division campaign off to a winning start at home on Friday night. S&F United drew first blood with a Rebecca Conlon goal on 13 minutes and Manulla didn't find the equaliser until just after the hour, via Tara Ryan. Lauren McLellan, playing in goals, secured full points from the penalty spot on 73 minutes.
Over in Knock on Saturday evening, visitors Swinford led 1-0 at half-time through Melissa Devaney, with some top drawer goalkeeping and defensive play from Kiltimagh/Knock United. The hosts competed well for large parts of the game but were punished for a couple of mistakes through Devaney again and Beth Roache as Swinford won 3-0.
Conn Rangers showed their intent for the season ahead with a 3-1 win over Castlebar Town. Emma Gibbons put Town in front when she scored from the penalty spot on 37 minutes – the second goal from a 'keeper over the weekend. However, Niamh Connolly equalised just a few minutes later and Cliodhna Flynn went on to find the net twice for Conn.
Ballina Town 3-4 Swinford (AET), Ballyglass 3-3 Conn Rangers (Ballyglass won 5-3 on penalties), Ballyvary BB 5-1 Castlebar Town, Ballinrobe Town 1-4 Snugboro.
GAA: Mayo U20 hurling manager Brian Finn and his management team have announced a 38-player panel for the 2024 U20 Championship. They will begin their All-Ireland ‘B’ Championship this weekend with a trip away to Donegal, with a time and venue still to be confirmed.
Matthew Connor of Caiseal Gaels will captain the U20 team for 2024 and the vice-captain will be Eoin Ryan of Ballyhaunis.
The panel is as follows: Mark Jordan (Ballina Stephenites), Eoin Ryan (Ballyhaunis), Michael Richardson (Ballyhaunis), Sean McGhee (Ballyvary), Brian O'Donovan (Ballyvary), Aidan McGing (Claremorris), Ronan Fallon (Claremorris), Michael Foody (Claremorris), James Woolley (Claremorris), Matthew Connor (Caiseal Gaels), Killian Gallagher (Caiseal Gaels), James Lyons (Castlebar Hurling), Joe O'Donnell (Castlebar Hurling), Anthony Rowland (Castlebar Hurling), Oisin Mulroy (Castlebar Hurling), Lucas Kenny (Castlebar Hurling), Dylan Cunnane (Tooreen), Fiachra Glavey (Tooreen), James Byrne (Tooreen), Jake Glavey (Tooreen), Ryan Finn (Tooreen), James Greally (Tooreen), Sean Lynskey (Tooreen), Dylan Groarke (Tooreen), Sean Geraghty (Newcastle West), Eoghan Ketterick (Westport), Conor Ketterick (Westport), Cathal Guilfoyle (Westport).
Golf: A best back nine holes saw Geraldine Evans pip Mary Farragher to victory after both players scored 34 points in the 18-hole weekend stableford at Ballinrobe Golf Club. Marian Scully finished in third, two points further back while Sarah Staunton and Ann Marie Mulvey won the front and back nine prizes, both scoring 14 points. The back nine was also required to separate Justin Keady and Norman Keane in deciding the men’s winner, as both scored 40 points. Paul Roche took the Gross prize with 28 points while the category winners were 1. Adrian Flannery 38pts, 2. Willie Rodgers 37pts, 3. Kevin Shannon 40pts, 4. Martin Boyle 39pts. Dave Giles and Michael Rattigan had the best front and back nines with 21 and 20 points respectively.
Last Friday’s open stableford, sponsored by Golfstyle, was won by James Donovan on 38 points with the Gross winner being Sean O’Connor on 29.
