Historic day looms for Mayo Women's League

THE Mayo Women's League will make history on Saturday (May 4) when they field their first ever team in the national FAI Angela Hearst Inter-League Cup.

Their first outing involves a trip to Dublin to face reigning champions Eastern Women's Football League. Kick-off is at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday at Irishtown Stadium in Dublin 4.

This is a huge opportunity for Mayo to perform on the national stage and build on a massive progression in the female game in the county, where strong foundations have been built over many years through the underage Gaynor Cup and SFAI inter-league competitions.

Mayo's second game will be at home to Donegal later in the month, with hopes high that the team can kick on and progress to the next stage of the competition.

It is fitting that Mayo have a senior representative league side as the next logical step given how competitive Mayo girls sides have been at national level for the past decade or so, said team liaison officer/coordinator, Michael Collins.

“As recently as Saturday week, the Mayo Under 15 girls reached the SFAI Inter-League Cup final while the Under 12s had a Bowl semi-final away to Donegal at the weekend.

“Players and coaches of past Gaynor Cup squads have memories of attending the Angela Hearst Cup final in the bowl at UL in the past – witnessing a Mayo team there would be even more memorable!”

The league management committee are very grateful for the support they have received to date for this venture, including sponsorship from the Western Hotel in Claremorris and also the support received from Viv at Mayo Footgolf.

Featuring a good mix of experience and youth, with many players well used to big matches at county, provincial and national level with their local clubs, and some League of Ireland experience, Mayo are set up to have a positive run in their debut season.

The squad comprises: Emma Cosgrave (Manulla), Melissa Devaney (Swinford), Amy Dunleavy (Swinford), Amy Dowling (Castlebar Town), Louise Dowling (Castlebar Town), Maisie Farrell (Ballinrobe Town), Niamh Flannery (Manulla), Aoife Freyne (Manulla), Stacey Freyne (Manulla), Aoife Groarke (Swinford), Tracey Hall (Manulla), Ava Keane (Castlebar Town), Roisin Kelly (Castlebar Town), Emma Lavin (Swinford), Alison Long (Killala), Stephanie Loughney (Straide & Foxford), Natalie Lundy (Manulla), Anna McDonnell (Kiltimagh Knock United), Bria McLoughlin (Swinford), Lauren McLellan (Manulla), Lisa Nally (Manulla), Jessica Nolan (Ballinrobe Town), Beth Roache (Swinford), Michelle Ruane (Straide & Foxford), Emma Sheeran (Castlebar Town), Anna Tuohy (Castlebar Town) and Hana Ueno (Kiltimagh Knock United).

The Mayo Women's League has put together a backroom team with a great track record in nurturing talent at club and county level, with manager Ollie King (Manulla FC), assistant manager Michael Devaney (Swinford FC), coach Marie Bones (Kiltimagh Knock United), goalkeeper coach Martin McGreal (Westport United), kit man Brian Farrell (Ballinrobe Town), physio Regina McIntyre and coordinator Michael Collins (Kiltimagh Knock United) all supported by the league secretary and the driving force behind the initiative, Joe King.

COMPETITIVE

In a competitive group, Eastern Women's Football League got their tournament run off to a flying start when they defeated Donegal Women's Soccer League 4-0 in the opening round of the three-team grouping.

A hat trick from Megan Coomber and a Sarah Ryan goal proved the difference between the sides.

Like Mayo, this is the Donegal League's first venture into the competition and while the Easterners dominated for large periods, Donegal battled and defended well, especially in the first half, and they weren't without chances to get scores.

Getting the opportunity to play for your county is something that resonates with Mayo coach Marie Bones. Everyone, regardless of what sport, wants to pull on the county jersey, she said, adding: “This is a big occasion.”

Speaking ahead of the Mayo Women's League debut game next weekend, Marie added: “Getting to represent your county and your club on the national stage is a huge honour.”

The former Ireland international, now coaching at Kiltimagh Knock United, has plenty big match day experience herself at club, county and country level.

As the Mayo Women's League has enjoyed phenomenal growth in recent years, she welcomes this latest progression that allows club players to compete at national level.

Competitions such as this help raise standards, she noted.

“Every player wants to be pushing themselves to improve their game and now this opportunity is there for them to really try and push on to the next level.”

Mayo has a proud tradition at underage level, having enjoyed success at the Gaynor Cup and in the inter-league competitions, and it's proof of the positive leadership of Joe King that now players can continue that journey at senior level.

It's an inspiration too for young footballers, Marie said, that they can set their eyes on achieving the ambition of representing the county at adult level too.

A native of Donegal, Marie has fond memories herself of the Gaynor Cup's precursor, the Bracken Cup, which was similarly played down in Limerick.

On Mayo's opponents, she's well aware of the strong footballing heritage that Donegal boasts, while Eastern Women's League come into the tournament as title holders.

“It will be a big test,” she said, “but we're well up to the challenge.”

These may be uncharted waters for Mayo but the backroom team has the experience to navigate their way through, with real leaders in the game.

The squad is a blend of youth and experience, with some having featured in the international set-up at underage level, including Jess Nolan, Stacey Freyne and Hana Ueno. Marie herself, in her year playing with Manulla, was a team-mate of Aoife and Stacey Freyne, Tracey Hall and Jess Nolan.

Joe King was coach in the season she spent with the club, while Marie's playing days also saw her togging out for UCD, DLR Waves, Shamrock Rovers and Castlebar Celtic.

Her Ireland career started at Under 16 level, with regular trips from Donegal to Dublin for training with a few other youngsters from the county, and she played up to senior level.

According to Marie, soccer is very competitive in Donegal at underage and schools level, and it feeds right up the food chain.

So will her loyalties be split come match day later next month when Mayo welcome her home county? “No way,” we're told. “Mayo all the way!”