Doherty’s hat-trick decides Mayo Women’s League Shield final

Kiltimagh/Knock United are the Mayo Women’s League Shield champions after the east Mayo side defeated Conn Rangers 5-2 at Ballyvary, on Sunday.

The star of the show for United was Kayla Doherty, who after being introduced as a substitute towards the end of the first half, went on to net an incredible hat-trick.

Rangers made the brighter start, however, against the run of play Kiltimagh/Knock United snatched the lead on 23 minutes, when Shona Mahon’s cross-cum-shot nestled in the back of the net.

Kiltimagh/Knock’s joy was short-lived though as just two minutes later the Mount Falcon side restored parity courtesy of Kasey Ruane’s rocket of a strike from outside the 18-yard box.

United’s super-sub Kayla Doherty nudged her team-mates into a 2-1 lead just six minutes into the new half, when her perfectly placed free kick rustled the back of the net. Kiltimagh/Knock United then quickly added a third courtesy of Mary Ann Ward, and Conn now faced an uphill task to get back into the game.

However, a doughty Conn refused to wilt, and they reduced the deficit to the bare minimum on 59 minutes through a close-range finish from Ruane.

The game was delicately poised, yet United managed to add a crucial fourth on 79 minutes courtesy of the raiding Doherty.

The red and black sealed the deal in style on 80 minutes, when the scampering Doherty rounded the advancing Conn ‘keeper, before guiding the ball home to complete her hat-trick.

The victory completes an impressive domestic season for Kiltimagh/Knock United as they also won the Division One League title.