Cruel finish cannot hide big strides made by Mayo
All-rounder Kate Brennan was on top form for Mayo who were unlucky to lose to Galway United on Saturday.
A stunning free-kick by Anna McGough deep into stoppage-time denied Mayo FC a share of the spoils in an entertaining clash at Umbro Park on Saturday.
When these sides met in the opening game of the group, United had a comprehensive 11-1 win over the League of Ireland newcomers but this was a much tighter affair, which speaks volumes of the improvement in performance for this Mayo side under James Johnson and his management team.
After weathering some early pressure by United, Mayo began to enjoy plenty of the ball, with captain Maura Hughes dictating affairs, but possession was not converted to gilt-edged opportunities.
United themselves had similar issues, with a Mayo back four of Cara Culkin, Lauren Neary, Sophia McHale and Emily Jennings dealing with the threat of Anna McGough and Ava Mullins but the United double act would finally make the breakthrough on the half hour mark.
A clever through ball put McGough through and she arrowed her shot into the bottom corner. Two minutes later, the roles were reversed after McGough collected possession the left. She cut it back to Mullins, who took a touch inside the edge of the area and finished well past Sarah Heaney.
It was a cruel blow to Mayo but they responded well and got the goal their efforts deserved just before half-time in style. Emily Jennings laid it off to Maura Hughes and her shot from 25-yards was struck with pinpoint accuracy into the bottom corner.
Kate Brennan began to have a major impact for Mayo in the second-half as she and Ballinrobe Town teammate Maura Hughes put immense pressure on the United defence and particularly goalkeeper Rhiann Murphy. On three occasions, pressure from the duo saw Murphy give the ball away from two kickouts but Murphy would redeem herself to deny Brennan twice and once from Hughes.
The pressure and pressing from Mayo was unrelenting and Clodagh Breslin was next to win a loose ball and feed it to Brennan but she again failed to find a way past Murphy.
Mayo got a deserved equaliser on 89 minutes. A corner-kick whipped in was cleared away but Mayo won the ball back 25-yards from goal. It was dinked over the back line and Mary Ann Ward was on hand to lift it over Murphy for the leveller.
It would be a cruel end for the hosts, however, as McGough was fouled 30 yards out and fired an unstoppable free-kick into the top corner.
Mayo FC: Sarah Heaney, Cara Culkin, Lauren Neary, Rebecca Moran, Mary Ann Ward, Roisin Horkan, Emma Dowling, Emily Vahey, Sophia McHale, Emily Jennings, Maura Hughes. Subs: Niamh Curran, Muireann Nolan, Kate Brennan, Sarah Gallagher, Tori Duffy, Hannah Breslin, Clodagh Breslin, Mary Moran.
Galway United: Rhiann Murphy, Laura Adair, Chloe Enright, Brona Garvey, Emily Stephens, Olivia McCarthy, Ava Mullins, Kate Barrett, Megan Healy, Anna McGough, Emma Dillon. Subs: Rebecca McGrath, Kiera Malone, Katie McPhilbin, Zainab Rafter, Niamh Faherty.
REF: Oisin Walsh
