Swinford and Castlebar Town claim Mayo and provincial titles

THE duopoly of Castlebar Town and Manulla in senior women’s football entered another chapter into their storied rivalry in May when the two sides met at Solar 21 Park, Milebush, Castlebar, in the Connacht Women’s Cup final.

It was Castlebar Town who prevailed as goals from Mary Kate Tyrell and Louise Dowling saw the county town side claim a famous and historic provincial success at Solar 21 Park.

A domestic cup double header followed in late August, with the Mary Walsh Cup and inaugural Rumley Cup on offer.

Laura Haran's goal midway in the second half proved the difference as Swinford edged Ballinrobe Town to win the Mary Walsh Cup.

The Rumley Cup final, named after Mayo football legend Tommy Rumley, went the distance between rivals Manulla and Castlebar Town, and it was the Town who got the better of Manulla once more in a cup final this season, beating them 5-3 on penalties after the game had finished 1-1 following extra time.

Tracey Hall gave Manulla the lead on the stroke of half-time but Belinda Patterson levelled it with four minutes of normal time remaining. Neither side could get a winner in extra-time and Louise Dowling netted the winning penalty after Sophie Keane saw her effort saved.

More history was made in early September with a double header of cup finals at Solar 21 Park as the Mayo Women’s League Senior Cup final followed the Mayo Football League Under 21 Cup final.

The decider saw Castlebar Town going for the treble but they were stunned by a Laura Haran-inspired Swinford, the striker scoring all four goals for the east Mayo club in a 4-1 rout against the county town side.