Breaffy's Robbie Fadden and Belmullet's Seamus Howard vie for midfield supremacy in Ballina. Pic: David Farrell
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07 Sept 2025
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07 Sept 2025
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The Mayo side which beat South Belfast on penalties to win the SFAI Girls Inter-League Under-16 Cup Final. Pic: Oisín Bradley
SUBWAY SFAI GIRLS INTER-LEAGUE U-16 CUP FINAL
Mayo 3
Aoibhinn McNamara 62, Katie Hughes 79, Síofra McGuinness 89
South Belfast 3
Lauren Morrison 41, Rachel Harshaw 50, Isla Steen 90
(Mayo win 5-4 on penalties)
In Westport
It was a nail-biting and gripping 100 minutes of football between Mayo and South Belfast who, even after extra-time, couldn’t be separated on a blustery Westport afternoon.
However, with the pressure at its highest and the trophy on the line, the Mayo girls produced a perfect series of penalty kicks to ensure that they would be leaving the pitch as champions.
READ MORE: 'None of us would be in MacHale Park watching rugby without the likes of him'
The game got off to a slow start, with rain and wind the order of the day. Truth be told, South Belfast were the better side, albeit marginally in the first half. Lauren Cusack had to be at her best in nets to thwart the opposition’s attempts.
Belfast flew out of the traps early in the second half and were two up within ten minutes of the restart, courtesy of Lauren Morrison and Rachel Hershaw.
However, Mayo weren’t for giving up. In the 62nd minute, Sophie O'Donnell was barged over in the box, and referee Jamie Flannery pointed to the spot. Once O'Donnell had dusted herself off, Aoibhinn McNamara converted the chance.
The spectre of defeat was looming over the Mayo girls. However, Katie Hughes' corner from the right soared over Kirsty Harper in the Belfast net to spark delirium among the strong Mayo contingent.
Mayo thought they secured the win in extra time when Síofra McGuinness’s thunderous attempt cannoned off the crossbar, and celebrations around the pitch had hardly stopped before Isla Steen pounced to level seconds later for Belfast and take the tie to penalties.
Mayo opted to go first and produced a perfect first four penalties before Belfast saw their last spot-kick sail wide of the upright.
With the weight of the world on her shoulders, Ella McLoughlin was calm and decisive, and slammed home to secure a memorable moment for her and her sides.
A full match report, plus reaction, will be in the sports section of Tuesday's Mayo News
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