Manulla women bring home the Rumley Cup

A DOMINANT second half performance saw Manulla return from Milebush with the Rumley Cup on Sunday afternoon.

In the end they put seven past opponents Kiltimagh Knock United, who hit the net once, but the scoreline didn't fully reflect how the game panned out, especially in the opening half.

Manulla, who were to see Niamh Flannery and Tracey Hall both finish with hat-tricks, opened the scoring within the first three minutes. However, the KK response was almost immediate, with Ellen Boyle coolness personified in getting the equaliser.

Manulla were to dominate most of the second half but didn't have it all their own way in the first, with end to end play, a crucial score coming just before the break when Hall put them 3-1 up.

Some excellent strikes, including a goal for captain Aoife Freyne, in the second half sealed the win, one that was that little bit more special as she received the cup from club president Tommy Rumley.

For Kiltimagh Knock, this was a first ever cup final for their women's team and they take the ever growing green shoots of progression back to east Mayo with lots to be positive about for the future.

Manulla will be back in Milebush next Sunday at 2 p.m. when they meet Castlebar Town in the Mayo Women's Cup final, looking to make it a treble of titles this season.

Final score: Manulla 7-1 Kiltimagh Knock United

* Full report by Caoimhín Rowland in tomorrow's print edition