Dowling trio leads Castlebar Town to Mayo Premier title against Manulla

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

Castlebar Town 2

Manulla 0

In Castlebar

The happy faces, fists pumping the air and cheers from the home crowd spoke a clear language: When the final whistle sounded, Castlebar Town were back on the throne of the Mayo Premier Division.

It was hugely thanks to the three Dowling sisters. Captain Amy marshalled the troops from the back, winning one-on-one situations and keeping the potent Manulla attackers at bay.

Louise Dowling, the league's top scorer with nine goals, showed her class. Securing possession, spraying passes with brilliant vision for her team mates and yet never too shy of tackling for the ball.

But the youngest of them all on the pitch shone brightest. Cliodhna Dowling scored the two goals that secured the triumph for Castlebar Town.

They didn't need to win, a 'dirty' draw would have been enough to regain the Premier Division trophy. But the team coached by Emma Gibbons sailed to victory in the second half never in doubt.

After already beating their biggest rivals Manulla 6-3 in this year's campaign, Castlebar Town managed a rare 'double' over last year's champions.

"The league win means a lot for us," said Gibbons after the match, speaking to The Mayo News: "It's always between Manulla and us. It always goes one way or another, and then it goes the other way next time. So, to beat them twice this year and get one over them is sweet."

In the first half, the both teams were very evenly matched. Manulla with the most dangerous scene, when attacker Aoife Brennan was through in front of the goal, but not at a very favourable angle. Castlebar Town keeper Kira Bright saved the ball that was destined for the inside of the far post.  

In the second half, Castlebar Town took control and it was the magic of 16-year-old Cliodhna Dowling, that set her team on the path to league glory. Cliodhna struck twice within three minutes, the first one an excellent lob over the Manulla keeper and the second one a strike like a rocket, that smashed into the top corner. 

"Cliodhna is just brilliant, always has been. She is a little lethal weapon, and the youngest panel member as well," Coach Gibbons acknowledged.

Emma Gibbons herself, technically still a player, tore her ACL and meniscus a year ago.

"The girls asked me 'will you help us?' I thought, I'm going to be here anyways, so I might as well do it. I'm itching to get back to playing, but I can't rush it."

Winning the league with a game to spare is certainly a sign of more to come, from a young coach and the three young Dowling sisters.

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