Knockmore crowned Mayo LGFA senior football champions

Knockmore were crowned Abbvie Mayo LGFA Senior Football champions as they had too much firepower for a brave Burrishoole side, with the north Mayo side running out 3-12 to 0-10 victors in the end.

Knockmore’s penchant for goals was evident as early as the opening minute of the first half, when Ciara Durkan set up Shauna Howley and the latter’s close-range bundled finish rustled the back of the net.

Burrishoole, who won their first senior county title in 2022 against Knockmore, regrouped and singles from Hannah Sheehy, Jennifer Cawley, and a brace of frees from Maria Cannon, left just a point separating the sides after 12 minutes, 1-2 to 0-4.

The white and green’s comeback hopes suffered a set-back though when Knockmore were awarded a penalty on 14 minutes, which was cooly dispatched by Lara Sweeney.

At the other end, Hannah Sheehy was one of Burrishoole’s standout performers on the day and the corner-forward guided over a well-taken point on 20 minutes, which seemed to inspire her team-mates as Niamah O’Malley landed a booming long-range point.

However, the saffron and blue ended the half the sharper and a brace of points from Sweeney (one free) helped garner a 2-6 to 0-7 interval lead for the north Mayo side.

Try as they might, a gallant Burrishoole couldn’t match their first half efforts, and when Howley guided home a terrific goal on 49 minutes the Knockmore lead was enhanced to 10 points (3-9 to 0-8).

A brave Burrishoole kept battling for every inch of possession, but the deficit was too great to reel in.

Knockmore’s Amy O’Connor and Howley added further points on 52 and 53 minutes respectively which helped secure the saffron and blue’s first senior county title since 2023.