The Mayo Women’s League is welcoming growth in club and player numbers on the pitch and in its backroom team who run affairs for girls and women’s football in the county in 2025.
Last year just shy of 900 players featured on team sheets across all three grades of the league – Under 17, Under 19 and women’s.
As the 2025 season kicks off this week, secretary Joe King had positive continued growth to report at the league’s annual general meeting in Umbro Park, Milebush.
There’s 14 teams taking part in three divisions at Under 17 level, while interest for the Under 19 league later this summer has come in from 12 clubs – a big jump from seven last year.
The women’s league will have 16 teams, with three new entrants – all Rovers – as Achill, Fahy and Glenhest are fielding senior teams for the first time.
And another first is the Women’s Masters League, which gets underway this Tuesday with seven teams signed up.
The Women’s League also has a new figure at its helm as chairperson.
Michael Collins, a leader on the field in girls and women’s football at his club, Kiltimagh Knock United, and on the Mayo scene, was elected to the position at the AGM.
The full committee comprises: chairperson Michael Collins, vice-chairperson David Munnelly, secretary Joe King, treasurer Diana Hopkins, PRO/media officer Dee Kelly, registrar Sean McDonnell, child welfare officer Denise Roddy, assistant treasurer Sean McDonnell, fixtures committee Joe King, Joe McDonald, John Hennelly and Micheal Collins, and finance committee Pat Delaney, PJ Gibbons and Ollie King.
Secretary Joe welcomed seeing new people coming on board, bringing new ideas and new ways of doing things. “This league is about the players,” he said. “Girls and women’s football will benefit from this.”
Mayo’s entry on the national stage in the Angela Hearst Cup was a welcome development in 2024, allowing girls to represent their county. The management, coaching team and players were thanked for their commitment, as was sponsor Paul Hanley of the Western Hotel, Claremorris.
With an indication that more western counties might enter this year, consideration on a ’25 entry will take place in due course.
MASTERS
The inaugural Mayo Women’s Masters Football League kicks off this Tuesday evening.
Games will be played at Celtic Park, Castlebar.
There’s seven teams taking part: Castlebar Celtic, Kilmore Ladies, Fahy Rovers A, Fahy Rovers B, Claremorris FC, Manulla FC and Ballyvary Blue Bombers.
Masters fixtures
Tuesday, February 25, 8 p.m.
Fahy Rovers A v Claremorris
Fahy Rovers B v Kilmore
9 p.m.
Manulla v Ballyvary BB
UNDER 17 CONNACHT SHIELD FINAL
Two Mayo teams will go head to head in the Under 17 Girls Connacht Shield final next weekend.
Ballyglass FC and Ballyvary Blue Bombers will be taking a trip to Lecarrow in Roscommon for the final on Saturday, March 1, with kick-off at 1.30 p.m.
Westport United were unlucky to miss out on a spot in the Under 17 Cup final after they lost out 3-2 to Athenry in their semi-final last week.
Westport recovered from an early goal to go in at half-time level at 1-1 after Katie Hughes provided an equaliser on 41 minutes.
The Galway side are formidable opposition, though, and two goals within 10 minutes of the restart had them well positioned to advance.
While a second Westport goal did arrive via Aoibhinn McNamara, at 89 minutes it was to prove too late as the Mayo side bowed out.
CONNACHT WOMEN’S SHIELD
ROUND ONE
The weather hampered progress in the Connacht Women’s Shield on Sunday, with first round games featuring Castlebar Town and Manulla postponed – those fixtures are now scheduled for Sunday, March 2.
Straide & Foxford were away to Boyle Celtic where it finished 6-1 in favour of the home team. Westport United received a walkover from Calry Bohs.
UNDER 17 LEAGUE
The first football of the Mayo Under 17 Girls League was played on Sunday, with one game going ahead, where Ballyglass enjoyed a 3-1 win over Snugboro in Division One.
