Impressive Mayo fall to defending champions
The Mayo Women's League squad pictured before their Angela Hurst Cup bow against Eastern Women's Football League.
It was a historic day for the Mayo Women’s League on Saturday May 4th, 2024, with its first ever team playing in the Angela Hearst Cup. The task awaiting them was of a titanic proportion -facing Dublin powerhouse league the Eastern Women’s Football League (EWFL) and in their own backyard at the Irishtown Stadium, Dublin 4.
EWFL had the first opening in the second minute with an effort from a corner drifting harmlessly wide. Mayo almost had the lead on five minutes when a Tracy Hall effort brought a brilliant fingertip save from the home ‘keeper at the expense of a corner. Jess Nolan delivered a wonderful set play from the right, followed closely by an equally good delivery from the left but the home defence defended both quite well.
An EWFL attack into the Mayo box was thwarted by two unbelievable blocks by captain Stacey Freyne and left back Natalie Lundy while Mayo ‘keeper Aoife Groarke was smart off her line to clear the danger on 14 minutes. Freyne gave another example of brave, brave defending by winning a 50/50 header. Mayo were growing in confidence now and Hall had a cross seized by the ‘keeper, Louise Dowling was just off-target, while Nolan had a shot blocked in the box with the possible hand but the ref waved play on. Dowling then had a half chance with a header before EWFL took the lead on the counterattack with 26 minutes on the clock. If ever there was a case of “against the run of play” this was certainly it.
Mayo were most unlucky two minutes later following an excellent move up the left facilitated by the non-stop industry of Stephanie Loughney and Anna Tuohy in the middle of the park. Niamh Flannery stepped inside her marker and hit a superb shot that beat the ‘keeper all ends up but unfortunately cannoned back off the crossbar. Most unlucky as it was a superlative strike.
Amy Dowling executed a brilliant goal-saving tackle with 36 minutes on the clock, Amy Dunleavy at right back was holding her own against a tricky winger, Louise Dowling again went close, and Aoife Groarke made a stunning save as the excellent first half ebbed and flowed from end to end. With a minute of normal time remaining in the first half, Mayo got the goal and equaliser that their overall play very much merited. Jess Nolan was the creator with an exquisite through ball which Tracey Hall took in her stride to blast home to tie the game up at 1-1. Flannery almost gave Mayo the lead just prior to the half-time whistle sounding.
The opening minute of the 2nd half saw the Nolan-Hall combination again with the home ‘keeper denying Hall’s final effort with a stunning save. The game ultimately got away from Mayo in the next five minutes as they were hit for a quick-fire brace of goals. Alison Long and Beth Roache both came on, but it was the Mayo ‘keeper Groarke who was much the busier now making outstanding saves in the 66th and 70th minutes.
It was the home side’s turn to hit the bar, but Mayo rallied strongly again in the final ten minutes. Hall was just off-target after an excellent ball from Flannery, Lauren McLellan was introduced, a good run and cross up the Mayo left by Roache saw Louise Dowling’s effort go just wide, Louise blocked down the ‘keeper’s clearance but the ball bobbled wide. The home team added a further goal with three minutes of normal time remaining, but Mayo kept going until the final whistle and Anna Tuohy was just over after a lung-bursting run on 89 minutes. The final whistle confirmed a 4-1 win for the home side.
It could be reasonably argued that the scoreline flattered the home side a little, a point that they made themselves, but they were very clinical in front of goal to be fair. Mayo’s performance in the first half belied the fact that this was their first game ever as a team. A fact that a lot of people present found hard to believe! This was a serious foundation to lay down for the future, with the next game being a home clash with Donegal later this month.
Speaking prior to the game the secretary of the Mayo Women’s League Joe King had the following to say. “Best of luck to all players, management and all associated with the team today. It’s the realisation of a dream to have a team represent the Mayo Women’s League on a national stage.
“Thank you all for your commitment, and let’s hope that this is the start of something bigger and better for women’s football in Mayo. Hon Mayo”.
