Ruthless Knockmore put Mitchels to the sword to book senior final spot

LGFA - MAYO SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Knockmore 4-18

Castlebar Mitchels 0-3

In Knockmore

As has so often been the pattern this campaign, a red-hot opening exchange paved the way for a sublime Knockmore win. This comfortable win set up a repeat of the 2024 decider where they will face reigning champions Westport.

This time, Castlebar Mitchels were the unwilling victims of a top-rate club side. By half-time they had shipped four goals, not scored, and were on their way out of the championship.

In contrast, the saffron and blue were ruthless in the extreme, from the second Clodagh Keane rattled the net early on, until the death.

As with so many of Knockmore’s group stage games this season, they got off to a lightning start.

Róisín Langan’s pinpoint ball in found the impressive Keane. She outmuscled Tanya Flynn and unleashed a top corner net-shaker.

Wing half-back Nina McVann’s driving run saw her double her championship tally, before the campaign’s top scorer Amy O’Connor swiveled to nurse over a single.

Mitchels were patient in the opening exchanges as they tried to take the game to the hosts, but that was proving a tall order.

The closest they got to making Knockmore break a sweat was when Gráinne Flynn powered down on goal after seven minutes. The shot was well repelled by Anne Murphy.

The age–old combination of Keane to O’Connor saw a white flag, and there was a sense the once more the 2024 finalists were slowly but surely pulling away from their county town counterparts.

At the turn of the quarter, the intermediate champs were dealt another hammer blow. Knockmore skipper Sarah Mulvihill fed O’Connor. Just as she was primed to shoot she was upended, and Garryowen McMahon signalled a penalty. Lara Sweeney was cold as she sent Ava Murray the wrong way.

Keane and McVann tagged on further singles, before Katie Langan fired under an outstretched Murray to push the gap out to 14.

By the 22nd minute, Amy O’Connor got on the end of a Hannah Reape assist for her tenth goal of the championship.

Mulvihill and Ciara Durkan became their side’s sixth and seventh scorers of the day, widening the chasm and making sure that there was no way back for Mitchels.

By the time the half-time whistle shrilled, the scoreline read 4-11 to 0-0.

The youthful Mitchels side have shown great potential in recent years, but this was proving a steep learning curve for them.

They did tag on the first score of the second half when Laura Burke converted a free, but Knockmore kept on ticking. They ran the bench to bring on fresh legs, and one notable introduction was All-Star Shauna Howley, making her 2025 Championship bow after coming back from Australia.

Mulvihill raised a pair of white flags before making way for Howley.

Mitchels did try and add some extra spice, with Kathryn Sullivan getting involved in a few mini battles, but it was difficult to bear fruit.

By the full-time whistle, the gap stood at 27. Knockmore continued on their mission to dethrone Westport and reclaim the title.

A full report, plus reaction, will be carried in Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News.