31/08/2026
KK senior ladies complete double
The Kiltimagh Knock United Senior ladies wrapped up their Mayo Women's League (MWL) campaign in style yesterday by beating Conn Rangers in the Eco Powered Cabinets MWL Shield Final. Ballyvary was the novel setting with a kick-off time half an hour before midday.
Conn Rangers FC have been operating in the division above us this season and have a seriously talented U19 squad so we were under no illusions about the task that lay ahead. Having said that, this squad had won a Division One League Championship dropping only two points out of a possible 30 and proving lots of football people wrong in their predictions as to where the title would end up, so, as always, we were fairly confident that we could get the job done. One of the many strengths of this group this season has been how strong the squad is in being able to face different challenges and that very much came to the fore on the day.
We were slower than usual to settle but still eked out a good chance in the 9th minute through Viktoria. Our captain and goalkeeper Elaine made a smart save two minutes later from the always impressive Amy Murphy and Rangers worked a good chance four minutes later but it was just too high. This side has an impressive ability to score goals and the first indicator of that came in the 18th minute when Shona threaded an unbelievable pinpoint ball to release Mary Ann who elected to shoot quickly when she probably had a bit more time. It still produced a top save from Rangers 'keeper Sadhbh Staunton. It would not be the 'keeper's last notable contribution.
The clever movement of the Conn forwards, combined with both their full-backs' ability to overlap, meant a taxing opening for our back four of Rachel, Nicola, Anna and Cliona while Saoirse expended her usual boundless energy on the left flank both as an attacker and a defender. On 24 minutes we took the lead with a splendid individual goal by Shona. Shona likes finals - she helped herself to a hat-trick in last season's Mary Walsh Final. We only held the lead for two minutes before a rare defensive lapse allowed Kasey Ruane a sight of goal and she didn't need a second invite to tie the game up.
An excellent Cliona delivery from a corner went a begging before Shona almost scored a carbon copy of her goal only to see the crossbar deny her.
Our first two changes came on for the last while of the 1st half in Grainne and Kayla. Grainne brought exactly what we were lacking, that bit of bite and aggression in central midfield, with an early flick on with her head being what was required. She soon dovetailed with Erika in the holding roles and, slowly, the platform was being wrested for our attacking players to thrive. Kayla was just off-target deep into stoppage time as she slowly got her sights aligned.
Half-Time:
Kiltimagh Knock United 1
Conn Rangers 1
Dee and myself didn't have to say too much at the interval as the players knew themselves that they hadn't brought their usual high intensity work rate to the opening half. We were immediately on the front foot and another fantastic delivery from a corner - Hana this time - was somehow scrambled away off the line after a clever flick from Grainne. We retook the lead on 51 minutes when Kayla got on the end of a super free-kick from Hana and guided the ball with her head just inside the far post. Sublime goal both in creation and the ex*****on. Kayla was denied two minutes later by another outstanding save by Staunton in the Conn goal before a stunning piece of build-up play involving Anna and Grainne released Mary Ann into space and the Division 1 top scorer (by a huge margin) did the rest to give us a two goal cushion.
Back came Conn and, on the hour, that Ruane girl had her second goal of the final. Ditto with KK and Shona was most unlucky in a foot race with the 'keeper when she beat her, only to see a last gasp intervention by the retreating defender avoid the goal. Our next change saw Aoife deployed alongside her sister and we certainly enjoyed a real purple patch then. A "daisy-cutter" of a free-kick from Anna wide on the right was expertly held by the 'keeper, Mary Ann was just off-target in 73rd minute before Kayla restored our two goal lead with another sublime, classy finish in the 73rd minute.Two minutes later Kayla had completed her hat-trick with another exquisite finish on the run across the 'keeper just inside the far post. All three of her goals went in practically the same spot which is unreal consistency of an exceptionally high level.
Three goals ahead and only 9 minutes left surely that was that. Not so as Conn fought tooth and nail until the final whistle. Grainne shipped a heavy bang from the ball to her face as indeed one of the Conn girls did in the 1st half. Conn replaced their impressive 'keeper and sent her upfront in search of a goal. Needs must and all that. Our final two changes saw Ciara and Ria deployed on both flanks. Our experience saw us see out the remainder of the game without any further damage.
Full-Time:
Kiltimagh Knock United 5
Conn Rangers 2
Referee: Pearse Concannon.
Assistant Referee: Anne Sweeney.
Assistant Referee: Mick Walsh.
Squad:
V Balik-Nowak, C Callaghan, R Clarke, L Corrigan, A Collins, G Collins, C Conlon, K Doherty, E Duffy (C), R Foy, S Mahon, N Maloney, S Murray, A McDonnell, E Ryan, H Ueno, M A Ward.
This was a wonderful climax to the Mayo campaign for this group of footballers. To win a double in a season is truly magnificent and it represents the best season we have had since we established the Senior Women's side in 2020. We have been involved in some super matches this season and this was right up there. Conn were exceptionally good and their management of Michael Murphy and Paul Neary have a very gifted, very well balanced side at their disposal.
From a management point of view, this has been a terrific group to work with. There is not even the hint of an ego anywhere and we have let our football do our talking.
The players (because it's always about them, front, right and centre) enjoyed a good meal in Julians of Midfield afterwards before retiring to Carty's Bar in downtown Knock. On behalf of the players I want to place on record our thanks to Seamus Hughes, Mary Niland and all in the committee at KK.
On the day it was refreshing to see one of our ex players Aine Monaghan make the trip with her dad to support us. We are very proud of our record in dealing with players of all ages and it's nice to see that reciprocated. It's interesting to note that 11 of the match day squad of 17, came through our underage ranks. We will be using Kilmore as reference as they pipped us to the title last year and survived comfortably in the Premier League, so that has to be our goal. Within that though, we will be looking at recruiting a handful of new players to bolster our squad and that will be starting immediately and working at it over the winter.
Small photo recap of the day's action below, with snapper Deirdre Ryan doing a superb job for the Mayo Women's League.
fans Mayo Women's League Carty's Bar & Lounge - Knock Kiltimagh Mayo Knock Community Futures FAI Mayo
