Revenge tastes sweet for Mayo's camogie starlets
Niamh Kennedy in action for Mayo against Louth in last Saturday's Camogie Ireland All-Ireland Junior Championship Semi-Final.
Mayo have secured their place in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Junior Camogie Championship Final after a deserved win against Louth last Saturday afternoon, which saw them gain sweet – and comprehensive – revenge over the side that had defeated them in the opening round of the championship.
Having suffered a loss to the Wee County earlier in the competition, Mayo entered the semi-final determined to set the record straight. With several players back from injury, they produced one of their most disciplined performances of the season to book their place in the All-Ireland Final.
Mayo settled into the contest quickly and dominated the opening 20 minutes, racing into a six points lead without reply. Niamh Kennedy knocked over two excellent points from distance before Caoimhe Delaney made a bursting run from the half-back line to tip over a third. Westport trio, Méabh Tunney, Lisa Scahill and Ava Lambert racked up the tally further.
Louth responded before the break with Aoife McCabe finding the back of the net to breathe life into the contest. McCabe’s teammate Aoife Gregory added two points but Mayo remained composed, with Cathy Greally and Lisa Scahill adding two more Mayo points to see the Green and Red take a 0-8 to 1-2 lead into half-time.
The second-half saw Mayo continue to play with confidence. The introduction of Niamh Greally and Laoise Greally at the interval injected fresh energy while the Mayo defence remained strong, limiting Louth's scoring chances.
Ava Dooley got two points on the bounce and sub Laoise Greally posed a constant threat by adding two points herself, and forcing a top drawer save by the Louth goalkeeper with a powerful effort.
The points flowed for Mayo and fresh legs were introduced as Hannah Tener, Ciara Kennedy and Aoife Quinn all got game time, while Louth managed just three points in the second-half.
At the final whistle, Mayo had secured an impressive 0-16 to 1-5 victory, avenging their earlier defeat to Louth and earning a well-deserved place in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Junior Camogie Championship Final. A performance built on teamwork, resilience and intensity, exemplified by player of the match Ava Lambert.
They are now due to face Monaghan on Saturday, July 11 in a repeat of the Camogie League Division 3B Final. A time and venue will be confirmed in the coming days.
Mayo: Grainne Robinson; Kate Scahill, Megan Deely, Grainne Delaney; Caoimhe Delaney (0-1), Ava Lambert (0-2), Éabha Delaney; Niamh Kennedy (0-2), Cathy Greally (0-1); Méabh Tunney (0-2), Lisa Scahill (0-3f), Ava Dooley (0-2); Ella Deely, Brona Joyce, Roisin Cassidy. Subs: Laoise Greally (0-2) and Niamh Greally (for Cassidy and Joyce ht), Hannah Tener (0-1) (for L Scahill 47), Ciara Kennedy (for Dooley 50), Aoife Quinn (for C Delaney 52).
REF: Karol Collins (Galway)
