Mayo women top group in Angela Hearst Inter-League Cup

THE Mayo Women's League chalked up a comprehensive victory over their Donegal counterparts on Sunday to top their group in the Angela Hearst Inter-League Cup competition.

Three players had hat-tricks on the board by the 85th minute - Alva Munnelly, Melissa Devaney and Katie Heaney, with Heaney hitting a fourth goal on the stroke of full-time as Mayo ran out 1-11 winners.

A point was all that was needed to top the group after winning against the Eastern Women's League in their campaign opener. But full points were pretty much in the bag at half-time on their trip to Letterkenny where Mayo held a four-goal lead (1-5) at the break.

Killala's Alva Munnelly opened the scoring after 10 minutes and she added a second 12 minutes later. In a 10-minute spell, Swinford's Melissa Devaney helped herself to a hat-trick, before Donegal registered their opening - and what turned out to be only - goal of the day in the 41st minute.

Munnelly completed her hat-trick soon after the restart, with Manulla's Katie Heaney kicking off her goal spree five minutes later as the clock hit the 55th minute. Mayo captain Stacey Freyne had the assist for her clubmate, and she also turned provider for Ciara Forkan of Swinford as she added her name to the score sheet in the 61st minute at the end of a productive 10-minute spell for Mayo.

Heaney was to produce three more goals for the Oliver King managed Mayo side who now progress to the semi-finals, scheduled for June 21.

Mayo Women's League: M. Nolan, C. Gibbons, A. Monaghan, M. Ruane, A. Curley, S. Freyne, C. Forkan, A. Dunleavy, A. Munnelly, M. Devaney, K. Heaney.

Subs used: S. Bright, A. Conway.