Debut season ends in final heartache for gallant Mayo girls

HEC Development League Cup Final 

Blackhall Place College 4-12 

Mayo College FET 6-03 

At ATU Midlands Campus, Athlone 

An unbeaten run to the final in only their first year competing saw Mayo College FET enter Thursday’s final of the HEC Development League Cup with hopes of ending the campaign in a fairytale manner. Their opposition, Blackhall Place, where undergraduates study law, in contrast, have competed in third level football for many years and having also advanced to the final unbeaten, were fancied to have too much for the Mayo College girls. And so they did, but just about, after a tit for tat battle where both teams left absolutely everything on the field.

The newcomers couldn’t have wished for a much better start to the game, starting in a very confident fashion with a pair of excellent goals by their corner-forward Sophie Keaveney. It was a just reward for Mayo’s early endeavour. However, Blackhall looked dangerous every time they broke the press and were able to take long range points when needed, and that kept them in touch as Mayo College held just a slender one point lead after fifteen minutes, 2-0 to 0-5. The Blackhall students then began to lay down the law so to speak, pressing the Mayo College kickout and reaping the benefits to the extent that they hit 2-2 without reply.

When Mayo College did get up the field, they struck the crossbar not once but twice, which together with some other wayward shooting led to frustration. However, a slick move just before half-time resulted in Kate Hoban firing home a third Mayo goal, and with Knockmore centre-forward Grace Naughton adding her name to the scoresheet as well with a point, that all reduced their side’s arrears to three points – Blackhall 2-07, Mayo College FET 3-01.

The second-half began like the first, with Mayo College quickly settling into a tempo. Michael Moyles’ team was unfortunate however to see the crossbar further deny attempts at goal before their pressure eventually resulted in a point for Sile Gorman and a well-taken goal by midfielder Louise Slattery, to send the Connacht outfit in front again. The lead changed hands several times until a pivotal moment in the match; a long range shot was dropped by the Blackhall Place goalkeeper and finished to the net by Natalia Fasciszeska but to the bewilderment of all Mayo College supporters in attendance, the goal was disallowed. Moments later, Blackhall constructed a great move and the ball was finished to the net, albeit it had seemed to be thrown in. The score was allowed however, and the match had swung by six points to leave the Dublin college six points ahead.

Mayo College never stopped and full-back Laoise Coyne drove her team forward time and time again, twice going close to scoring before finally sending an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner of the net. Blackhall again tagged on a few frees on the break to keep Mayo College at arm’s length.

The chasers were handed a lifeline entering the last two minutes when a long Grace Naughton effort ended up in the net. The Mayo girls pressed – and won – the next three kickouts but failed to make it count on the scoreboard, with some excellent scramble defence from Blackhall which included two clearances off the line.

The final whistle was greeted with great cheers and relief by Blackhall Place College and disappointment but immense pride by the Mayo College team who had given themselves a first year to remember. To score six goals will win most finals, just not this one.

Mayo College FET: Diane McManamon; Leah Forry, Laoise Coyne (1-0); Laurna O’Malley, Elizabeth Loftus, Rachel McTigue; Louise Slattery (1-1), Kate Hoban (1-0); Natasha Fasciszeska, Grace Naughton (1-1), Sile Gorman (0-1); Katie Lynch, Sophie Keaveney (2-0). Subs: Kayla Cartmell, Shannon McDowall.