Westport United ladies come up short in Connacht Women’s Cup

Connacht Women’s Cup Round 1

Westport United 1

S Byrne 61

Salthill Devon 3

D O’Connell 31, N McCormack 58, R McPhilbin 80

In United Park, Westport 

After an outstanding game of football under lights, it was Salthill Devon who left United Park victorious in this Connacht Women’s Cup clash. Westport United produced a superb second-half performance, the visitors held them at arm's length throughout the 90 minutes.

The first half was played on Salthill’s terms. The Galway team had most of the chances, but the Westport defence and goalkeeper, Rebecca Hastings, stood firm and held them scoreless for most of the half.

The Galway girls broke the deadlock in the 31st minute when Daisy O’Connell’s effort from outside of the box found the top corner of the Westport net. The hosts closed out the first half well with Chloe Chambers and Molly Farrell working extremely hard on the left wing, but Salthill Devon led 1-0 at the interval. 

Westport came out flying in the second period thanks to the impact of some early second-half substitutions, but the visitors netted first in the second period when Niamh McCormack got her foot to a corner to give Salthill a 2-0 lead in the 58th minute.

The hosts responded three minutes later when Saoirse Byrne got on the end of a cross from Rachel Browne and fired the ball into the back of the net. Ria McPhilbin made it 3-1 with an insurance score in the 80th minute. 

Read a full report with reaction in Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News.