Sun shines on Manulla and Claremorris in Mayo Under 17 girls cup and shield finals

MANULLA were crowned Mayo Under 17 Girls Cup champions at a sun-drenched Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon, with Claremorris winning the Shield title earlier in the day at Ballyvary Community Pitch.

Kiltimagh Knock United provided the opposition in the cup final, and an even first half played out, with both sides creating opportunities, and KK having the better of the chances.

KK made a bright start to the second half, probing a stern Manulla defence, but it was the eventual winners who were to hit the back of the net first, when Grace Mulroy sent in a lovely, looping strike.

Mulroy, who later picked up the player of the match award, was a consistent threat and she doubled the lead for Manulla. But KK have been in this position before and a good delivery from right-back Aoibhinn McDonagh from a quick Ava Mitchell throw was latched on to by the ever pressing Kayla Doherty to pull a goal back.

KK kept the fight on for the scores they needed, with some great runs left and right and attempts at goal as the game continued between two evenly matched sides.

However, throughout the afternoon they met a Manulla team who worked well across every department and that work rate was rewarded by two further goals courtesy of Muireann Nolan and Sophie O'Donnell to seal a deserved win.

Diana Hopkins, treasurer of the Mayo Women's League, was on hand to present the cup to Manulla captain Amy Cunningham.

Claremorris had a comfortable 5-0 win over Ballina Town in the Shield final on Sunday morning.

They were three goals to the good by half-time, starting well when Roisin Horkan fed Mary Ann Ward the ball to give them the lead. Horkan doubled it when she met a corner, and Ward got her second goal from a free-kick, again with Horkan involved in winning that.

Mary Ann Ward completed her hat-trick in the second half, with Alana Kelly the final name on the scoresheet.

Mary Ann Ward received the Player of the Match award.