Mayo Women's League season off to a flying start

THE reigning Premier League champions nicked a draw at the death in their opening game of the 2026 Eco-Powered Cabinets Mayo Women's League.

There's never much between Castlebar Town and Manulla and so it proved once again as they shared the spoils on Friday evening.

Manulla took the lead on 25 minutes through Caoilinn Gilmartin and were heading for full points as the clock ticked down. But Louise Dowling had other ideas and a goal on 89 minutes saw title holders Town earn a point at home.

It was a story of honours even in the Premier League with Kilmore and Conn Rangers also drawing, 2-2, down on the Erris Peninsula.

Kilmore had a dream start, with Liadh McGrath having the ball in the net after just three minutes. And the newly promoted side doubled their advantage on 56 minutes through Molly O'Connor.

But a young Conn side kept grinding away and in a five-minute spell they drew level, Aoibhe McNamara scoring in the 73rd minute and Hannah Breslin with the goal to give them a point.

DIVISION ONE

In Division One, Castlebar Celtic made a statement of intent in a 6-2 win over Ballinrobe Town.

There were five goals in a thrilling first half where it looked like Celtic were running away with it, with three goals in the first 21 minutes through Grace Carroll (2) and Grainne Flynn. But a battling Ballinrobe have a fair depth of talent in their squad too and Ursula Shaughnessy and Emily Jennings pulled it back to 3-2 by half-time, catching Celtic out with 34th and 36th minute goals.

But Celtic were to see Carroll complete her hat-trick in the second half and Sarah Jane Kilcawley also chipped in with two goals as they secured full points.

Ballina Town, who were promoted to Division One this season, lost 1-2 at home to Killala. In what was a good, competitive game, Killala created the better openings and deserved their win on the overall balance of play.

It took until the hour for Killala's Alison Long to break the deadlock, but Mollie Doherty pegged them back again soon after. The win, however, was sealed just three minutes later with an Ella McLoughlin goal in the 70th minute.

Ballina pushed to find another equaliser but hard-working Killala held out.

DIVISION TWO

The results were mixed for the newbies in Division Two where Snugboro United got off to a winning start on their return to senior women's football after 17 years, while Ballyvary Blue Bombers, returning after a 15-year break, suffered defeat at home.

Snugboro welcomed Achill Rovers and saw off the islanders on a 2-0 scoreline. Achill started strong and had opportunities, but goals from Treasa Conway and Aoibhinn Conway were to get 'Boro's campaign off to a winning start.

Crossmolina hit Ballyvary for six in their game. There was just a solitary score between the sides at half-time, Niamh Maughan on the mark on 17 minutes. But the more experienced side, against a Bombers side light on numbers, were to see four more players - Suzanne McNulty, Rachel Bourke, Emma Pritchett and Sara Mulligan - get on the score sheet in the second half as they won 0-6.