Westport camogie team pipped after extra time in Rose Nixon Cup final

ROSE NIXON CUP FINAL

Westport 3-12 Skehanagh/Menlough 2-16 (after extra-time)

In Bekan

WESTPORT were denied a second successive Rose Nixon title by a valiant Skehanagh/Menlough side that celebrated an emotional victory after extra-time this afternoon.

It was fitting that Ruth Owens accepted the trophy just days after losing her mother, Norah, who was a much-valued supporter of the club. 

To do it, they had to get past a Westport side that fought the wind and the Galway girls right until the bitter end. 

At one point, the West Mayo women were twelve points down in a game where the team that had the breeze were like a team with 17 players.

Ava Lambert's goal straight from a free was Westport's saving grace in the first half, which they lost 2-10 to 1-1.

But the Mayo ladies began the fightback with three early second half scores - including a goal from Meabh Tunney - before Mayo senior footballer Fionnuala McLaughlin hit the net to make it a four-point game.

Inspired by dual stars McLaughlin and Lambert, Westport held their opponents to three points in the second half and took the lead when Eimear Geraghty pointed late in normal time.

A free from Jacqueline Glynn sent the game to extra time.

Because of the wind, this was another game of two halves.

But after emerging to a roar heard all around Bekan, Skehana Menlough summoned the will  to secure an emotional and incredibly hard fought win with late efforts from Jacqueline Glynn and Clare Glynn.

A full report will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.