Ten teams entered for 2023 Mayo Women's League season
Manulla and Castlebar Town remain the teams to beat
THE growth of women's football continues in Mayo with two new teams appearing in this year's Mayo Women's League, which kicks off today (Sunday) with 10 clubs involved.
The north of the county, which in recent years has only featured Killala FC, has two new entries - Crossmolina and Kilmore - in the 2023 league.
The return of the Kilmore club and establishment of a new women's team in Crossmolina have been warmly welcomed by Mayo Women's League secretary Joe King.
Kilmore Ladies were, he pointed out, one of the founder members of the Mayo Women's League. They enjoyed success too, winning the league back in 2012.
Unfortunately, since 2016 they have not competed due to lack of numbers but that trend is now thankfully being reversed. The women's side of the club has been revived and the league is delighted to welcome back what is the most westerly women's football team in Europe, operating out of Drum, on the Erris Peninsula.
For Crossmolina, it's a first venture into the league, but with Jess Gough one of those spearheading the drive for a women's team in the area they'll be well prepared for the challenges ahead.
Nearby youth club Kilmurry has had a strong reputation in girls football circles for many years now and the establishment of a women's team at the local senior club in Crossmolina is a natural progression.
The inclusion of both, which now sees 10 clubs participating in the senior league from right across the county, is a very positive development for the continued growth of the female game in the county, said Joe, building on the great work being done by clubs at underage level.
The only other change from the 2022 line-up is that Castlerea Celtic are no longer operating in the Mayo league, having joined Roscommon where they have picked up some silverware over the winter season there.
Ahead of the opening weekend of fixtures, Manulla will be looking to retain the league title they won in 2022.
Manulla and Castebar Town, always two of the top contenders, have already locked horns this year, with Manulla through to the Connacht Women's Cup semi-final with a recent 1-0 win over their rivals.
The league format remains the same as last year. Every team will play each other once before it splits into League One and League Two.
Kiltimagh Knock United earned their first silverware last season when they defeated Ballinrobe in the League Two play-off and will be hoping to build on that success.
Opening weekend fixtures are: Ballinrobe Town v Kiltimagh Knock United, Castlebar Town v Straide & Foxford United and Killala FC v Kilmore. Conn Rangers v Swinford and Crossmolina v Manulla are postponed as Manulla and Swinford face each other in the FAI Amateur Cup on Sunday at 2 p.m.