Gallant Mayo fall to defending champions
The Mayo U16 Camogie panel started their campaign away to Wicklow in Bray on Sunday, February 8, last, making the long journey cross-country to take on the current All-Ireland U16C Champions.
Played on the Emmets Astro pitch due to poor local weather, Mayo were very competitive in the early stages and a point from Westport's Sinead Toland settled the nerves of the Mayo girls.
Wicklow showed however why they won last year’s competition and scored 1-5 without reply before Ann Toland for Mayo converted two frees to give Mayo hope going in at the break, Wicklow leading 1-5 to 0-3.
With the aid of the breeze in the second half, Wicklow powered on with further scores from play and from frees. Mayo had strong defensive displays at this juncture with Castlebar duo Denise Staunton and Mary Ellen Ruane in top form. Mayo did record a mini comeback late on as Sinead Toland goaled low from close range, and her sister Ann recorded her third pointed free of the game.
In the end, Wicklow were deserving of their win, but the Mayo girls will have gained a lot of experience from the outing - many of whom were playing their first ever game at this level. Mayo go on to play Louth in Round 2 in a home fixture on the weekend of February 22.
