Five-star Mayo girls reach national final
Mayo under-13 girls pictured ahead of their SFAI Inter-League Trophy semi-final against KDUL.
The Mayo Schoolboys/Girls and Youths AFL had its under-13 girls’ squad in action on Saturday. The most impressive Abbvie United Park, Westport was the setting for their Subway SFAI Inter League Trophy semi-final clash with KDUL (Kildare).
Despite playing against a strong wind in the first half, Mayo settled very quickly and Sadhbh McDonagh had a snapshot go just wide in the second minute. Eadoin Mulroy went close two minutes later and Anna Jennings was just too high with a well hit shot. Out of nowhere, KDUL took the lead on 12 minutes with a goal very much against the run of play.
Undeterred, Mayo continued to attack impressively and soon won a corner up their right. A brilliantly delivered set-piece from left back Lauren Hanrahan caused panic in the six-yard box and Ali Clarke reacted quickest to fire home a deserved equaliser.
Ali and her midfield compatriots captain on the day Lucy Cunnigham, and Ruth Donnelly, were full of work, endeavour and good decision making which was resulting in loads of quality ball to the front three. Anna Jennings had a trio of chances before Mayo introduced both Laoise Heneghan and Anna Holmes.
Eadoin Mulroy had the ball in the Kildare net on 21 minutes, but it was correctly ruled out for offside. The visitors went close a minute later before Mulroy had her shot saved by the splendid Kildare goalkeeper. An excellent piece of close control dribbling by Anna Jennings saw her upended in the penalty area and Laoise Heneghan confidently hammered home the resultant penalty.
A good run down the left flank and cross by Anna Holmes was headed narrowly wide by Anna Jennings at the back post. The final five minutes of the half saw Kildare lay siege to the Mayo goal resulting in a number of corners from both sides. The Mayo back four of Katie Rava, Caitlin Cummins, Alice Burrows, the aforementioned Lauren plus their goalkeeper Ellen O Flaherty maintained great composure and defensive resilience to avoid any more goals and get to the half-time whistle 2-1 up.
Lucy Duffy and Aine Hughes were introduced at half-time. Laoise Heneghan scored her second goal of the game in the 35th minute, a wonderful individual effort by dribbling past a few opponents and arrowing her finish into the top corner of the net. Eadoin Mulroy went close again on 38 minutes but a few minutes later she scored a super goal, just reward for an all-round top game.
Deirdre Gilmore, Grace Gibbons, Katelyn Moore, Sadhbh McGauley and Lucy Murphy all came on from a strong bench for the latter stages as Mayo very much bossed proceedings. Katelyn Moore was just wide from an Anna Holmes cross before Katelyn found the net with a smart finish to complete the scoring and secure a 5-1 victory for the young Mayo girls.
Pearse Concannon was the referee and both squads tucked into pizza post-match organised by veteran Mayo Schoolboys/Girls Treasurer Tom Mullin. Mayo will now face their western neighbours Galway in the Final at Evergreen, Co Kilkenny on the weekend of May 23/24.
