Knockmore ladies see off Carnacon with nine to spare in opening round of senior championship

Mayo Ladies Senior Football Championship Round 1

Carnacon 0-7 Knockmore 0-16

Oisín McGovern in Clogher

THE new order in Mayo ladies football looks here to stay after Knockmore dealt another championship defeat to Carnacon in their own back yard this morning.

An inspired nine-point display from All-Star Shauna Howley was the highlight of a gritty but slick and well-drilled Knockmore side who held Carnacon to just two points from play.

Mayo legend Cora Staunton – who operated mainly in her own half - struck 0-6 of Carnacon’s tally (5 frees) on a day when Michael McHale’s women had plenty of effort but lacked firepower.

The exchanges were relatively even at the start, but Knockmore slowly pulled away and made life hard for Carnacon in the slippery conditions.

Cormac Reape’s Knockmore nearly landed a goal Clodagh Keane dragged a low shot narrowly wide of the opposition goal in the 27th minute.

Trailing 0-4 0-7 at half-time, Carnacon remained in contention before shipping seven points without reply to Knockmore - who were only crowned Division 1 league champions seven days ago.

Shauna Howley landed some lovely scores while Knockmore captain Nina McVann was inspiring yet again, driving forward to kick two scores while occasionally picking up Cora Staunton.

Staunton eventually got Carnacon’s first from play in the 51st minutes, followed up by an effort from substitute Ellen Burke.

But by this stage the 2021 county champions were already too ahead and ran out deserved nine-point victors.

There will be a full report plus reaction from the Knockmore camp in Tuesday’s print edition of The Mayo News.