Green and Red make winning return to National Camogie League
Mayo captain Lisa Scahill getting away from a Louth challenge at Darver last Saturday afternoon.
The reformed Mayo senior camogie team produced a determined display to secure a hard-earned 3-11 to 1-10 victory away to Louth in Saturday’s opening round of National League Division 3B.
Underfoot conditions in Darver were challenging but the Green and Red made the perfect start when corner-forward Laoise Greally found the back of the net early on, setting the tone for the contest. Méabh Tunney quickly followed with a well-taken point – the first of an impressive tally of five from the influential half-forward, who made her senior camogie debut, alongside substitute Clodagh Quinn.
Mayo struck for their second goal in the 16th minute, with Brona Joyce finishing clinically to give her side real momentum. Louth responded well and kept themselves in contention but Mayo carried a 2-7 to 1-6 lead into the break.
The second-half proved to be a much tighter and lower-scoring affair, with Louth enjoying their strongest spell of the game and piling on the pressure on the Mayo defence. However, goalkeeper Grainne Robinson rose to the occasion with a trio of superb saves that proved crucial in maintaining Mayo’s advantage.
At the other end, captain Lisa Scahill and the ever-reliable Méabh Tunney continued to edge Mayo forward on the scoreboard. As the clock ticked towards full-time, substitute Hannah Tenner struck a decisive goal in the 59th minute, to put the result beyond doubt.
In difficult conditions, Mayo showed resilience and composure, battling throughout for a deserved victory as they marked their return to the adult camogie ranks. They face Donegal in Round 2 in a home fixture next Saturday, February 28 at 2pm in Bekan.
Mayo: Grainne Robinson; Shauna Peoples, Sharron Lynskey, Grainne Delaney; Éabha Delaney, Caoimhe Delaney, Megan O’Malley; Lisa Scahill (0-4), Niamh Kennedy; Meabh Tunney (0-5), Niamh Greally, Roisin Cassidy (0-1); Ava Dooley, Brona Joyce (1-0), Laoise Greally (1-1). Subs: Ella Deely for Peoples (ht), Hannah Tener (1-0) for Cassidy (40), Clodagh Quinn for E Delaney (45), Ciara Kennedy for O’Malley (50), R Cassidy for Scahill (55).
