Women's soccer season begins with goalfest
Deirbhile Kilcullen and Beth Fair both scored hat-tricks in Ballina Town's 9-1 win over Fahy Rovers
Castlebar Town laid down an early marker in the opening game of the Mayo Women's League Premier Division last Friday, hitting Straide & Foxford for six.
Their hosts did get a consolation goal, but 4-0 down at half-time was always going to be a tough mountain to climb.
Roisin Kelly got the opening goal for the Mayo Women's Cup holders after 10 minutes, while Louise Dowling was to go on to net herself a hat-trick.
S&F's reply came from the penalty spot minutes into the second half, struck by Fiona Roache. But Town cancelled that out in the 52nd minute and pushed on to win comfortably, 1-6.
Division 2 saw two of three new clubs to join the league this year in action but there was no joy for either Achill Rovers or Fahy Rovers, who were both away.
Fahy succumbed to Ballina Town 9-1 - Deirbhile Kilcullen and Beth Fair both having hat-tricks. Patricia O'Malley responded for Rovers on 18 minutes after they fell two goals behind, but Ballina, who only returned to the league last year, saw their experience count to win by a comprehensive margin.
Achill visited Crossmolina where they suffered a 2-0 defeat despite putting in a great effort. Sarah Gough opened the scoring for the home side on 25 minutes, with Rachel Bourke adding the second 13 minutes into the second half to put full points on the board.
Swinford and Killala, meanwhile, took advantage of a free evening in their respective divisions and played a friendly, which the east Mayo side won 3-0.
Kilmore have opened up a five-point lead at the top of the table in the Mayo Women's Masters League with full points from five games played.
On this latest outing the Erris women defeated Castlebar Celtic 3-0 - scorers were Annie Lynskey (two) and Kathrina Barrett.
Claremorris saw off Fahy Rovers ‘B’ team 7-3, in what was a real tussle. Fahy battled hard, producing three goals, but Claremorris were to prove too strong and, in the end, ran out comfortable winners.
Katie Walsh had a hat-trick, with goals also from Emma Mullin (two), Gemma O'Neill and Edel Mullin for Claremorris. Ann Marie Crean, Sonya Maher and Maureen Durkan accounted for Fahy's scores.
No joy for Rovers' A team in their joust with Ballyvary Blue Bombers who secured a 3-1 courtesy of Grace Lynch (two) and Anne Reilly goals. Keira O'Malley was on the scoresheet for Fahy.
CONNACHT SHIELD SEMI-FINAL
Manulla advanced to the Women's Connacht Shield final after seeing off the challenge of Ballisodare United in Sunday's semi-final played in Sligo.
The visitors put the first of their four goals for the day in the net on nine minutes via Lauren McLellan, who was to repeat the feat in the 84th minute in a 4-1 victory.
Manulla led 2-0 at the break after Mary Reilly popped home their second goal, the solitary reply from Ballisodare not coming until right on the hour mark.
Aoife Brennan, however, cancelled that score out seven minutes later, with McLellan rounding off the scoring approaching full-time.
Manulla will face Arrow Harps, who were 2-0 winners over Knocknacarra, in the final next month.
Straide & Foxford United 1-6 Castlebar Town.
Ballina Town 9-1 Fahy Rovers, Crossmolina 2-0 Achill Rovers.
Ballyvary Blue Bombers 3-1 Fahy Rovers ‘A’, Claremorris 7-3 Fahy Rovers ‘B’, Kilmore 3-0 Castlebar Celtic.
Kilmurry 8-0 Manulla, Westport United 0-2 Claremorris.
Ballyvary 0-5 Snugboro.
Conn Rangers v Straide & Foxford United, Manulla v Swinford.
Kiltimagh Knock United v Kilmore, Westport United v Killala.
Fahy Rovers v Glenhest Rovers, Ballina Town v Crossmolina.
