Derby delight as Lisa leads the way for McHale's Mayo

Goals in each half by Kilmovee’s Lisa Cafferky gave Mayo their first win in the 2024 National League, as well as a first win under Liam McHale.

Mayo led Saturday afternoon's Division 1 clash in Ballinasloe the bare minimum at the break, 1-3 to 0-5, with Cafferky’s goal on 24 minutes coming against the run of play, after Galway had begun to dominate proceedings when Mayo's Aoife Geraghty was shown a yellow card at the end of the first quarter.

Aoife O’Rourke struck four points in the first-half, including three frees, but the Tribeswomen failed to take further advantage of Mayo’s sloppiness.

The introduction of Roisin Leonard kept Galway on Mayo’s toes and she kicked four frees in the second-half. But Lisa Cafferky’s second goal at the beginning of the final quarter would prove the difference in Duggan Park where it ended 2-5 to 0-10 in favour of the visitors. 

Mayo’s nerves were jangling when Leonard had a free in the final seconds to level it but sent her kick wide and the Green and Red are off the mark in the National League.

Full match report and reaction in Tuesday’s edition of the Western People.