Five-goal thriller unfolds in Mayo Women's League Rumley Cup Final

Castlebar Town recorded a marvellous 3-2 extra-time victory over Manulla in a thrilling Rumley Cup Final, played at Umbro Park Milebush on Sunday.

Both sides were full of endeavour during the opening quarter of this joust, nevertheless the Town took the lead on 21 minutes, when Amy Dowling’s in-swinging corner-kick was inadvertently diverted to the back of her own net by Manulla’s Nicole Ryan.

On 44 minutes though, Cadhla Shaw levelled matters for the Carramore outfit, and the sides were level during the half-time pep-talks.

Castlebar almost made the perfect start to the second period when a chance was crafted for Róisín Horkan, but her header flew inches over the crossbar.

Castlebar’s busy striker Louise Dowling did have the ball in the back of the net on 68 minutes, but her celebrations were cut-short by the linesman’s offside flag.

The black and white eventually regained the lead on 76 minutes, when Amy Dowling’s free-kick clipped the upright and rippled the back of the net.

It looked like Castlebar had done enough to earn the silverware, but this game continued to produce enthralling moments. Three minutes into second half injury-time, Manulla’s Freyne collected possession and took a touch, before unleashing a long-range screamer into the top corner of the net, which ultimately forced the game into extra-time.

The contest was delicately poised, however, on 100 minutes and just seconds from the short interval, Castlebar took the lead once again. The Dowling sisters combined with telling effect, as Amy’s inch-perfect corner found Louise and the latter’s close-range header rustled the back of the net.

Manulla desperately tried to launch another heroic comeback during the second period of extra-time, but Castlebar held on for a famous victory.