Western People — Cup and shield success for Manulla and Claremorris

Manulla were crowned Mayo U17 Girls Cup champions at a sun-drenched Celtic Park last month, with Claremorris winning the Shield title at Ballyvary Community Pitch.

Kiltimagh/Knock United provided the opposition in the cup final. It was an even first-half, with both sides creating chances but never truly testing either goalkeeper.

United made a bright start to the second-half, probing a stern Manulla defence, but it was the eventual winners who were to hit the back of the net first when Grace Mulroy sent in a lovely, looping strike.

Mulroy, who later picked up the player of the match award, was a consistent threat and she doubled the lead for Manulla. But Kiltimagh/Knock have been in this position before and a good delivery from right-back Aoibhinn McDonagh via a quick Ava Mitchell throw was latched on to by the ever pressing Kayla Doherty to pull a goal back.

KKU kept the fight on for the scores they needed, with some great runs left and right and attempts at goal. However, throughout the afternoon they met a Manulla team who worked well across every department and that work-rate was rewarded by two further goals courtesy of Muireann Nolan and Sophie O’Donnell to seal a deserved 4-1 win.

Diana Hopkins, treasurer of the Mayo Women’s League, was on hand to present the cup to Manulla captain Amy Cunningham.

Claremorris had a comfortable 5-0 win over Ballina Town in the Shield, and were three goals to the good by half-time. Roisin Horkan fed Mary Ann Ward to put them in front early. The creator became scorer as she doubled Claremorris’ advantage via a corner and Ward got her second goal from a free-kick, again with Horkan involved in winning that.

Mary Ann Ward, a worthy recipient of the player of the match award, completed her hat-trick in the second-half, with Alana Kelly the final name on the scoresheet.