Dramatic first round of Mayo Women's Cup
THE first round of the McHale Agri, Forest & Garden Mayo Women's Cup was played on Friday.
It was a significant evening for Glenhest Rovers as their first ever senior women's team played their first competitive game.
They contested well in the early stages but visitors Ballina Town were ultimately to show their experience and pulled away with a comfortable 6-1 win, with Kayla Salami netting a hat-trick.
Glenhest got on the score sheet courtesy of Alanagh Daly on a historic evening for the club, and they rued some bad luck with an OG and a missed penalty too.
It was also a historic evening down the road in Fahy Rovers, where the club hosted their first home women's game.
The Division 2 side came up against the might of Castlebar Town, who ran out comprehensive winners, with multiple scorers.
Looking past the result, there's lots to be positive about for Fahy, with a strong underage girls structure and their first women's team paving the way for senior level.
Another of this year's newbies to the league, Achill Rovers, found themselves on a trip up from Division 2 to the Premier League's Manulla FC.
Again, a vastly experienced and strong Manulla side were always in control, enjoying a 5-0 win, but credit to their island visitors who kept battling in a tough encounter.
Lauren McLellan, Aoife Brennan (two each) and Megan Costello accounted for the goals for the winners.
In the only all Premier Division tie of the evening, Swinford enjoyed a comfortable win over Straide & Foxford at home.
Melissa Devaney dominated the midfield area and opened the scoring after 15 minutes before turning provider for Ciara Forkan for two more goals before half-time.
S&F posed more of a threat in the second half, with Stephanie Loughney's creativity more on show, but Swinford were never under any great pressure and tagged on another goal through Kaitlyn Jordan for a 4-0 win.
The tightest game of the first round was to be played out in Killala where the home side progressed 1-0 over Conn Rangers.
Alva Munnelly got the deciding score there on 50 minutes.
RESULTS
McHale Agri, Forest & Garden Mayo Women's Cup (round 1)
Manulla 5-0 Achill Rovers
Swinford 4-0 Straide & Foxford
Killala 1-0 Conn Rangers
Fahy Rovers 0-14 Castlebar Town
Glenhest Rovers 1-6 Ballina Town
FIXTURES
Friday, May 2, 7 p.m.
MAYO WOMEN'S LEAGUE
Premier Division
Castlebar Town v Conn Rangers
Straide & Foxford P-P Manulla
Division 1
Kilmore v Westport United
Killala v Kiltimagh Knock United
Division 2
Crossmolina v Fahy Rovers
Glenhest Rovers v Achill Rovers