Majestic Mayo book place in All-Ireland final
Emily Duffy scored two goals in Mayo's LGFA All-Ireland U16 A Championship semi-final win over Kildare. Picture: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Mayo have reached the All-Ireland U16 A final for the second year in a row after a wonderful performance saw them blow Kildare away in Longford this evening.
From defence to attack, Mayo were superior in all departments against a game Kildare team who had chances of their own to make it a much closer affair but were mercilessly punished by a red-hot Mayo attack.
The Lilywhites made the brighter start but goals by corner-forwards Mikayla McLoughlin and Emily Duffy were the difference for Mayo at the break in opening a five-point lead, 2-6 to 0-7.
Kildare were quick out of the blocks again for the second half as two points inside a minute brought the gap to three but Mayo struck back with 1-2, the goal coming via an Aoibhinn McNamara penalty on 39 minutes.
There was only winner from here, with the electric Katie Hughes finding the net, her tally of 1-4 all coming in the second half before Emily Duffy scored her second major late on as Mayo set up a final date with Kerry, who defeated reigning All-Ireland champions Cavan in the other semi-final, on July 16.
Scorers - Mayo: Katie Hughes 1-4, Emily Duffy 2-0, Mikayla McLoughlin 1-2 (0-1f), Aoibhinn McNamara 1-0, Katie Corcoran, Siofra McGuinness, Saerlaith Dillon and Niamh Curran 0-1 each.
Kildare: Sinead Shine 0-4 (2f), Amy Wall 0-3, Aisling Nolan 0-2, Aoife Treacy, Aibigéal Cocoran, Issey Kelly, Ciara Dempsey and Sarah Shelley 0-1 each.
Mayo: Meabh Lavin; Isabelle Basquille, Leah McNamara, Sophie Tiernan; Amy Doherty, Grace Bailey, Siofra McGuinness; Chloe Fahey, Ailbhe Ferguson; Aoibhinn McNamara, Saelaith Dillon, Katie Corcoran; Emily Duffy, Katie Hughes, Mikayla McLoughlin. Subs: Sophie Moran (for Ferguson 42), Niamh Curran (for Dillon 48), Clodagh Breslin (for McLoughlin 50), Sadhbh Mooney (for Fahey 53), Riona Kelly (for McGuinness 58).
Kildare: Chloe Wright; Breffni Nolan, Grace Coburn, Gwyn Canavan; Rachel Dooley, Lauren Mooney, Issey Kelly; Sarah Shelley, Ciara Dempsey; Lily Harney, Aoife Treacy, Amy Wall; Sinead Shine, Aibigéal Corcoran, Aisling Nolan. Subs: Orla O’Carroll (for Corcoran 42), Isabelle Walsh (for B Nolan 45), Grace Gallagher and Alex Finn (for Treacy and A Nolan 49), Sadhbh Fennin (for Kelly 52 inj).
REF: Philip Conway (Armagh).
