The Mayo Women’s League got their Angela Hearst Inter-League Cup campaign off to a winning start on Sunday.
A 2-1 final scoreline didn’t flatter the Mayo side as they saw off the Eastern Women’s Football League (EWFL) at CMS Park in Knock on a blustery afternoon.
The Dublin side have won the tournament three times in its 10-year history and exerted early pressure. But once the Mayo women settled, they probably created the better chances, with Swinford’s Melissa Devaney capitalising on 18 minutes with the opening goal from a Roisin Horkan assist.
Westport United’s Lauren Cusack had a good afternoon in goal, putting one rasper of a shot up and safely over the bar in the first half.
EWFL enjoyed spells of dominance but Mayo had the edge and doubled their lead on 52 minutes, captain Stacey Freyne at the end of an assist from Devaney in the box, the initial delivery coming from a well struck corner.
Mayo saw one or two goal opportunities go astray, while the visitors pulled one back 15 minutes before the end. But Mayo didn’t panic under the pressure and held on to secure a valuable three points ahead of a trip away to the Donegal Women’s League towards the end of May.
Also on Sunday, Donegal side Carndonagh FC made the trip down to Ballyglass where their Mayo hosts were to chalk up a 2-1 win in the FAI Women’s Under 17 Cup.
In a physical game played in tough enough conditions, Carndonagh opened the scoring on the quarter-hour mark. But Ballyglass were the better side overall, and they responded through Holly Donovan seven minutes later, with a Katie Corcoran goal 10 minutes before half-time proving to be the winner.
For Straide & Foxford United, their Connacht Women’s Shield run came to an end on Saturday when they lost their semi-final 1-2 at home to Ballisodare United.
Fiona Doherty had the only goal of the first half on 32 minutes, with their visitors restoring parity from the penalty spot on the hour mark.
A hard fought game was heading towards extra-time when Ballisodare popped up with a goal five minutes from time to see them through to the final where they will face Ballaghaderreen FC.
After last weekend’s postponements, the Eco-Powered Cabinets Mayo Women’s League gets underway proper with a full round of fixtures across all three senior divisions next Friday evening.
ANGELA HEARST INTER-LEAGUE CUP
Mayo Women’s League 2-1 Eastern Women’s League
FAI WOMEN’S UNDER 17 CUP
Ballyglass 2-1 Carndonagh
CONNACHT WOMEN’S SHIELD
Straide & Foxford 1-2 Ballisodare United
HAYES MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING UNDER 17 GIRLS LEAGUE
Premier Division
Claremorris AFC 4-0 Snugboro United
Ballyvary Blue Bombers 3-0 Westport United
Ballinrobe Town 0-3 Ballina Town
Ballina Town 5-7 Snugboro (Sunday fixture)
Division One
Killala 3-0 Straide & Foxford
Conn Rangers 1-5 Fahy Rovers
Ballyglass 1-2 Castlebar Town
Fahy Rovers 1-1 Manulla (Saturday fixture)
FIXTURES
Tuesday, April 14
HAYES MECHANICAL & ENGINEERING UNDER 17 GIRLS LEAGUE
Premier Division
Ballina Town v Ballyvary Blue Bombers
Westport United v Claremorris AFC
Snugboro United v Kilmurry
Division One
Ballyglass v Conn Rangers
Fahy Rovers v Killala
Straide & Foxford v Manulla
Friday, April 17
ECO-POWERED CABINETS MAYO WOMEN’S LEAGUE
Premier Division
Kilmore v Conn Rangers
Straide & Foxford v Swinford
Castlebar Town v Manulla
Division One
Ballina Town v Killala
Castlebar Celtic v Ballinrobe Town
Kiltimagh Knock United v Westport United
Division Two
Snugboro United v Achill Rovers
Ballyvary Blue Bombers v Crossmolina
Sunday, April 19
Under 17 Girls League outstanding fixtures
Straide & Foxford United v Fahy Rovers
Ballinrobe Town v Kilmurry
Westport United v Ballina Town
Castlebar Town v Manulla
