Inaugural Mayo Women's Masters Football League off to flying start

The opening night of the Mayo Women's Masters League served up an entertaining evening of football at Celtic Park in Castlebar.

Six of the seven teams signed up for the inaugural competition were in action, with Castlebar Celtic to make their debut this Tuesday evening.

This first hosting of a masters league by the Mayo Women's Football League for players over 30 has received a hugely positive response.

Kilmore Ladies made their travels from north Mayo worth their while when notching up a double figure score against Fahy Rovers B, 12-0. Annie Lynskey was the night's top scorer, with four goals to her credit in this game. And Michelle Doherty wasn't too far off the pace with a hat-trick to her credit.

In the adjoining pitch at the same time, Fahy's A team were also to suffer a defeat, losing 5-0 to Claremorris, with Emma Mullin getting herself a hat-trick there.

Regardless of the results this opening round, Fahy Rovers are already one of the big positive news stories of the season - fielding two masters teams and also set to make their senior debut in the women's league in March. A great boost for women's football in the west Mayo area.

The third game of the first round was a local derby featuring Manulla and Ballyvary Blue Bombers, one a long-established club name in women's football, the other team coming together from last summer's FAI's KickFit series.

For the Bombers, their practice and friendlies since last summer paid off with a 4-1 win. Gloria Evans and Anne Reilly shared the goals evenly.

The league continues on Tuesday evenings on the astro at Celtic Park.

Referees for the opening round of games were Alan English and Luca Kijowski.

RESULTS

Fahy Rovers A 0-12 Kilmore

Fahy Rovers B 0-5 Claremorris

Manulla 1-4 Ballyvary BB