Sophie Doherty the star for Kilmurry in Mayo soccer success

By Patrick Hennelly

THIS keenly contested Mayo Girls Under-11 Shield Final appeared to be heading towards extra-time - but Kilmurry’s Sophie Doherty had other ideas and her two expertly taken goals secured a dramatic victory for the blue and white over Ballinrobe Town B at Milebush Park.

Despite both sides displaying plenty of endeavour during the first half, clear-cut chances were few and far between and the sides were scoreless during the half-time musings.

Ballinrobe tried their level best to up the tempo on the fast-paced 4G surface during the second half, but the Crossmolina defence were vigilant.

The blue and white began to move the ball around the pitch with great ingenuity and the north Mayo girls edged in front with just 10 minutes of normal time remaining.

An intricate team-move by Kilmurry resulted in the busy Sophie Doherty guiding home a tidy finish, much to the delight of her team-mates.

The Robesiders were under-pressure, and Kilmurry were awarded a spot-kick after a Ballinrobe player inadvertently handled possession inside the danger zone.

The aforementioned Doherty took the spot-kick, but her effort was brilliantly saved by the Ballinrobe custodian, Heather Mullally.

A doughty Ballinrobe valiantly searched for the equaliser, but their comeback hopes were dashed towards the end of the game, as Doherty scored her second goal of the joust to secure the spoils for the blue and white.