Mayo club crowned girls under-18 Connacht cup champions

Westport United were crowned Girls Under-18 Connacht Cup champions after they defeated Arrow Harps 5-1, at the Red Rock Arena, Moyne Villa.

Player of the Match Katie Hughes produced a stellar display for Westport and netted an impressive hat-trick for her team-mates, with the industrious Aoibhinn McNamara also netting two tidy strikes for the Mayo girls.

Westport played with the aid of the wind in the first half and made the dream start just two minutes into the tie, when Katie Hughes’s exquisite strike had too much purchase for Abbie Tiernan and the ball rustled the back of the net.

On 14 minutes, Westport doubled their lead when Aoibhinn McNamara’s half-volley found the target.

Arrow Harps valiantly tried to remain in contention but could find no way past a resolute Westport defence which was well marshalled by Anna Meaney, Saoirse McGing, Rheanna Hoban and Maria McDonnell.

Three minutes before the interval, United added a spectacular third goal when Hughes’ inch-perfect free kick found the top corner of the net.

Trailing 3-0 at the interval, a positive start to the new half was imperative for Harps, however, Westport took a big step towards winning the silverware when they added a fourth on 55 minutes. A route one delivery from the Westport custodian Lauren Cusack, released the scampering Hughes and the latter guided home a superb finish to record her hat-trick.

The chasers refused to throw in the towel though, and the Sligo side pegged a goal back on 58 minutes, through Aoibhin Conlon.

However, Westport finished the game strongly and the blue and white added a fifth goal when the hard-working McNamara added her second goal of the joust to help round off an impressive display by the west Mayo girls.