THE Mayo LGFA senior leagues are heating up. Last weekend saw the conclusion of the group phase. And Westport and Knockmore have emerged as favourites to win the Division 1 title which should not come as a surprise.

First, the reigning senior county champions Westport made light work of Castlebar Mitchels with a convincing 4-16 to 0-4 victory.

Westport's squad was boosted by the return of inter county players Nicola O'Malley and Aoife Geraghty who made appearances against Castlebar.

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Their manager Pop Geraghty will be happy with the depth and competitiveness that Westport have managed to add to their team: “Ellie Hyland and Rachel Browne are progressing really strongly from the junior team,” Geraghty said after the final group game last Sunday, adding: “We've also had Saoirse Ludden, Lisa Scahill and Avril Kilkelly return to the panel, as Noirin Moran coming back from injury.”

Also, Rebecca O'Malley is coming close to a return which together with the further inter county players like Saoirse Lally and Sherin El Massry being available from now on, will make a hugely competitive squad.

Knockmore top LGFA SFL Division 1A

But Westport were pipped at the post for the pole position in Senior League Division 1A by a goal hungry Knockmore, who dispatched a very understrength Carnacon team on a scoreline of 11-20 to 2-1.

Knockmore top Group A on points difference, as both teams stand unbeaten with two wins and a draw between themselves.

“Overall, we're happy enough with the first three games,” analyses Knockmore manager Stephen Sweeney, also acknowledging that Carnacon were missing many players which explains the huge scoreline of 11-20: “That probably wasn't a full reflection on the game. When you're down a few central players, things can go a bit pear-shaped for you in any team.”

Knockmore were happy to welcome back Mayo players Hannah Reape and Ciara Durkin, but unfortunately for the senior county championship runners-up, Clodagh Keane is out injured.

Another top forward on the Knockmore injury list is Cliodhna Flynn, who is out with a knee injury.
Group B of the Senior League saw Burrishoole finish with a perfect record of three wins out of three.

Kilmovee Shamrocks were beaten 2-13 to 1-09, a win that leaves Burrishoole to play Westport in the Cup semi-final on August 10 or 11.

The other Cup semi-final will be contested between Knockmore and Charlestown, who finished second in Group B after roundly beating Hollymount 2-15 to 0-5.

In Senior League Division 2 Swinford Killasser went out on top against Kilmoremoy 2-14 to 0-7. Claremorris beating Louisburgh 1-15 to 4-3 wasn't enough for the South Mayo outfit to snatch first place in Group A from Swinford.

In Group B three teams finished with six points and it came down to points difference, which saw Moy Davitts and MacHale Rovers progress to the Cup semi-final.

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