Club volunteers hailed as women's football goes from strength to strength in Mayo
WOMEN'S football in Mayo is growing and making its mark at the highest levels of the sport.
And that growth just doesn't happen - it's thanks to the commitment from all the volunteers involved across the clubs, League of Ireland director and former sports minister Michael Ring told a capacity crowd at the launch of the Mayo Women's League 2026 season in Breaffy House Hotel.
Speaking in a week where Westport United won the Connacht Under 18 Girls Cup and Saoirse Reynolds from the club scored two goals for Ireland in their Bob Docherty Cup win, Mr. Ring also highlighted the number of Mayo players gracing the stage across the country in the League of Ireland.
The standards being set in Mayo are fantastic, he said, paying tribute to all the coaches and volunteers in clubs across the county for their hard work and commitment.
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Mayo Women's League sponsor Darren Forde from Eco Powered Cabinets. PHOTO: ALISON LAREDOImage 2 of 17
Tommy Rumley, honorary president of the Mayo Women's Football League, Dee Kelly, PRO, sponsor Darren Forde, EPC, Diane Hopkins, treasurer, Michael Collins, chairperson, David Munnelly, vice-chairperson, and PJ Gibbons, finance committee. PHOTO: ALISON LAREDOImage 3 of 17
Emma Gibbons, Zoe Flanagan, Kayleigh McLaughlin and Sarah Forrestal, Castlebar Town and Glenhest Rovers. PHOTO: ALISON LAREDOImage 4 of 17
Hope Gillespie and Molly Doherty from Ballina Town F.C.Image 5 of 17
Wesley Kilcawley and Mollie Costello from Castlebar Celtic.Image 6 of 17
Dave Carr, Manulla FC, Melissa Devaney, Swinford FC, Michael Devaney, Swinford FC, and Stacey Freyne, Manulla FC. PHOTO: ALISON LAREDOImage 7 of 17
Ashling Duffy, Orlaith Duffy and Stephen Duffy from Westport United.Image 8 of 17
Elaine Duffy, Kiltimagh/Knock United, Greg Keleghan and Ava Keleghan from Ballinrobe Town. PHOTO: ALISON LAREDOImage 9 of 17
Jacinta McDonnell and Katherine Ward from Ballyvary Blue Bombers. PHOTO: ALISON LAREDOImage 10 of 17
Ailish Coyle, Breda Reilly, Roisin Green and Aine Monaghan from Kilmore. PHOTO: ALISON LAREDOImage 11 of 17
Gillian Conway, Aoíbhínn Conway, Treasa Conway and Thelma Feeney from Snugboro United. PHOTO: ALISON LAREDOImage 12 of 17
Alva Munnelly and her dad David Munnelly from Killala FC. PHOTO: ALISON LAREDOImage 13 of 17
Colleen and Ruth from Crossmolina AFC. PHOTO: ALISON LAREDOImage 14 of 17
Michael Ring speaking at the launch. PHOTO: ALISON LAREDOImage 15 of 17
Marie Gallagher and Lorraine McHugh from Achill Rovers. PHOTO: ALISON LAREDOImage 16 of 17
Thelma Feeney, Aoíbhínn Conway, Treasa Conway and Gillina Conway from Snugboro United with Michael Ring. PHOTO: ALISON LAREDOImage 17 of 17
Honorary president Tommy Rumley and Dee Kelly, PRO. PHOTO: ALISON LAREDOThe Mayo Women's League enjoyed a very successful season last year, and this year numbers have risen even more with 17 women's teams signed up to compete, including new and returning clubs Ballinrobe Town, Ballyvary Blue Bombers, Castlebar Celtic and Snugboro United.
Continued growth in the game at all levels, however, puts pressure on a critical resource - referees, a point alluded to by Mayo Women's League chairperson Michael Collins.
The shortage of referees is a problem, he said, and he appealed to clubs to put forward young people to join the referees panel.
The chairperson also highlighted the good working relationship that exists between the women's and schoolboys/girls league in appointing referees for Friday evening senior fixtures.
The launch event was an opportunity for the football community to applaud the appointment of Tommy Rumley as president of the Mayo Women's League.
A firm favourite with everyone, Mr. Ring commented on Tommy's commitment to women's football and said he was well deserving of the recognition.
In his address, Mr. Ring also commented on the coverage in the media of soccer generally and women's sport.
There is, he said, great interest in soccer in the county but 'sometimes soccer thinks they're the second relations to any other sport in this county'.
“They're not. There's more people playing soccer in this county and country than any other sport,” he said.
And he appealed to the local media - radio and print, saying 'sometimes they are flighted towards one organisation over soccer'.
It's time to fight back a bit and he wanted to say to them, 'there should be the same coverage for women's sport as there is for men's sport or for any other sport, whether it's rugby, Gaelic or anything else'.
In addition to the league kicking off on April 10, Mayo will be in action in the Angela Hearst Inter-League Cup that weekend, secretary Joe King highlighted.
Another initiative coming soon from the league is a coaching programme led by coaching officer Oliver King, he said, which will be rolled out in the next month or so.