Brave battle by Mayo but league leaders prevail

LOI Academy WU17 League Group C – Round 5 

Mayo FC 1 

Athlone Town 3 

Maggie Chambers in Umbro Park, Milebush 

Mayo FC were defeated by Athlone Town after a superb game of football in Milebush on Saturday. It was always going to be a tough game for the hosts as Athlone arrived undefeated at the top of the table, while Mayo lie in fifth place.

The visitors showcased their talent from the start and early chances for Chloe Glynn, Abbie Duffy, and Leah Stack were all brilliantly saved by Mayo goalkeeper Aisling Farragher. The home side struggled to get the ball out of their half in the opening period, as Doireann Lynch and captain Abbie Duffy applied heavy pressure to the Mayo defence. Mayo centre-backs Grace Cunningham and Sive Flanagan made some excellent last-ditch tackles to keep the visitors scoreless. Lauren Neary also put in an excellent shift at left back.

Mayo’s first chance fell to Emily Coleman in the 36th minute when she won the ball in the Athlone Town half, but her shot was saved by Emily Lynam-Carroll. The Midlanders continued to dominate as they pushed to break the deadlock, and they managed to do so with 40 minutes on the clock. Mayo failed to clear their lines after an Athlone corner-kick, and the ball fell to the excellent Abbie Duffy who found the bottom left corner of the net. After an outstanding defensive display by Mayo in the first-half, it was Athlone Town who led 1-0 at the interval.

The visitors picked up where they left off in the second period. Alegria Elonga was one of the game’s standout players and she got her name on the scoresheet in the 52nd minute. After a miscommunication in the Mayo defence, Elanga was first to react and fired to the back of the net.

The chances continued to arise for Athlone and only five minutes later, Amy Kelly almost extended the lead after going around the goalkeeper but she could only find the side netting.

Mayo substitute Tori Duffy made a substantial impact on the game and was the driving force for her side's goal. With 60 minutes played, Duffy made an excellent interception around the halfway line and quickly passed the ball into the path of Emily Coleman. Coleman used her strength to hold off several Athlone defenders before slotting the ball into the back of the net to give the home side a lifeline.

Despite conceding, however, Athlone continued to dominate and create goal chances, but Aisling Farragher was outstanding between the posts for Mayo. The visitors did eventually find their insurance goal in the 68th minute when Abbie Duffy scored her second of the day. Some excellent play from Abi Gilligan on the right wing created space in the Mayo box and Duffy made no mistake.

Mayo FC will host Finn Harps on Saturday week.

Mayo FC; Aisling Farragher, Amber Glavey, Lauren Neary, Ava Mitchell, Emily Coleman, Cara Culkin, Eilidh Muir, Grace Cunningham, Sive Flanagan, Leah Kilcullen, Aoibhinn Burke. Subs: Aoibhinn Conway (for Muir 27), Mary Moran (for Culkin 50), Tori Duffy and Lily Kearney (for Kilcullen and Burke 57), Culkin (for Glavey 71) Sarah Gallagher (for Farragher 73), Kilcullen (for Duffy 77), Muir (for Mitchell 78).

Athlone Town; Emily Lynam-Carroll, Ruby Carroll, Clodagh Butler, Katie Nestor, Keela Donnelly-Meehan, Jasmine Treacy, Leah Stack, Kayleigh Delaney, Abbie Duffy, Chloe Glynn, Doireann Lynch. Subs: Alegria Elonga and Clodagh Sweeney (for Glynn and Stack 27), Orna Whitty, Amy Kelly, Thea O’Brien and Cailfhinn Brett (for Lynam-Carroll, Lynch and Carroll and Treacy ht), Stack and Glynn (for Nestor and Butler 65), Abi Gilligan (for Sweeney 67), Lynch (for Elonga 78).

REF: Ann Sweeney