North Mayo club win the Mary Walsh Cup

Killala won the Mary Walsh Cup at Umbro Park Milebush on Sunday after they defeated Castlebar Celtic 3-2 in what was an enthralling contest.

Killala made the brighter start, and they took the lead on 13 minutes, when a superb individual run from Alison Langdon Long ended with the winger rustling the back of the net.

Castlebar regrouped and they levelled matters in spectacular fashion on 24 minutes. The ‘Hoops’ were awarded a free-kick and Sarah Jane Kilcawley’s long-range effort rippled the back of the net.

The remainder of the first half was nip and tuck, yet just before the break Killala could have enjoyed a half-time lead, but Langdon Long’s effort curled inches wide.

Barely one minute into the new half, Killala pilfered the lead courtesy of an opportunistic finish by Alva Munnelly.

Celtic had to regroup once again and after a sustained period of pressure the west Mayo club restored parity on 72 minutes, when Grace Carroll’s peach of a long-range strike found the target.

The game was in the melting pot, however, the north Mayo side netted what proved to be the winner on 85 minutes. Killala captain Alva Munnelly spotted the timely run of Aobhin Bilbow and the latter guided home an inch-perfect low range angled finish beyond the reach of the Castlebar custodian.

Celtic tried to salvage an equaliser, but Killala withstood their opponent’s late rally, and the north Mayo side held on to claim the silverware.