Westport's impressive defence does the job on Charlestown

MAYO LGFA SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP A

Westport 2-9

Charlestown 1-5

In Westport

IN at times torrential rain and windy conditions, favourites Westport kept Charlestown at arm’s length.

It was Westport’s defence that won them the game, especially in the first-half, when Charlestown didn’t score a single point.

Tirelessly working away were the Westport backs, for example Ellie Hyland,Nicola O’Malley or Saoirse Kelly - to name but a few.

Up front Aoife Staunton was as reliable a scorer as always. Her goal early in the second half essentially killed off the game.
Staunton contributed 1-4 in total. The second Westport goal was a penalty. Sorcha McCarney sent the Charlestown goalkeeper the wrong way.

Westport were happy to have Saoirse Ludden and Aoife Kennedy back on the team. Both were sidelined the last game.

The huge squad depth is paying dividends for Westport, as they were able to give first choice goalkeeper Roisin Scott a break, fielding Lauren Cusack in her place, and bringing Noirín Moran or Kate Chambers off the bench.

"We want to keep pushing on," Westport full-back Ellie Hyland told The Mayo News after the match: "It was tough conditions. There is a lot to improve on, but we did well on the pitch. We got a lot of players on, that weren't getting matches before. We want to improve and we all have trust in each other."

It’s three wins from three for the current senior champions now and Westport advance to the semi-final where they’ll face Burrishoole.

Charlestown will be happy that they kept fighting until the end and scored a valuable goal late on, by Chelsea Doherty. This proved to steady the nerves for the management team, as Sarsfields were keen on staying ahead of Carnacon on scoring difference in the group table.

Sarsfields ended up in third place, eventually avoiding a relegation battle on points difference.

The score of the day was scored by Charlestown’s goalkeeper Julia Gawalkievicz. She scored an enormous free from her hand. In the men’s game, it would have been a massive two-pointer, a good few metres behind the arc and there was stilll distance on the ball when it boomed over the bar.

"An incredible score," acknowledged Charlestown manager Sinead Halligan: "I told her before the game, practice your free kicks and see how you feel. I saw her taking a few from out there that side, and I said, if you think at all, have a go at it. She nailed it, fair play to her."

A full match report and reaction will be carried in Tuesday's The Mayo News