Tribeswomen take the win over Green and Red
Mayo full-back Alana McDonnell finds herself backed into a corner by Galway opponents in last Saturday's All-Ireland U20 Championship clash in Charlestown.
Galway overcame Mayo in an entertaining encounter in the All-Ireland Ladies U20 Championship on Saturday afternoon.
Galway were the stronger team on the day but had to work hard to get past a spirited Mayo side. The visitors had the advantage of a strong wind in the first-half which they used to their advantage, with Mayo using that wind in the second-half to mount a strong comeback.
The Tribeswomen were quick off the mark, landing the opening score after one minute when Sarah Banks fisted over the bar. Mayo got their first score seven minutes later when captain Siomha McNulty made a great run through the middle of the Galway defence to pop the ball over the bar and leave the sides level.
Galway responded immediately with Isabelle Murray kicking her first score of the afternoon. This was quickly followed up by a second point from the Tribeswomen as referee Gus Chapman deemed Mayo goalkeeper Roisin Dyar took too long to take the goal kick and awarded Galway a free. Alisha O’Malley opened her account to give Galway a 0-3 to 0-1 lead.
Galway maintained their momentum when turning over a Mayo attack and working the ball up through the lines for O’Malley to pop over her second of the afternoon.
Mayo got their second score after Nicole McLouglin made a run at the Galway defence and was tackled high to win a free which Hannah Sheehy slotted over, leaving just two between the side, 0-4 to 0-2, after 15 minutes.
Isabelle Murray responded for the Tribeswomen after a well-worked team score and O’Malley pointed another free to give Galway a 0-6 to 0-2 lead. But Louise Cassidy won a massive turnover ball for Mayo just inside the Galway half off which Sarah Carney popped the ball over to cut the deficit to three, and the Green and Red followed that up with another point after captain McNulty made a great run through the Galway defence and passed the ball to Ava Palasz who hit it over the bar.
Galway, how just 0-6 to 0-4 ahead, responded off the boot of O’Malley again from a free, and from the kickout they won the ball back through Saoirse Coleman after which the ball was worked through the forwards to Isabelle Murray who sidestepped the Mayo challenge and fired to the net to give the visitors a six-point lead, 1-7 to 0-4.
Galway finished the half with two more points from Ava Heneghan and Alisha O’Malley to go in at the break 1-9 to 0-4 in front.
Mayo came flying out of the traps in the second-half with Sheehy hitting her second free while from the kick-out, Louise Cassidy won a free after a high tackle. Sheehy hit the ball high into the goal area with Nicole McLoughlin collecting and crashing it into the back of the net. The home side were back within four points, 1-5 to 1-9.
Galway got their first score of the second-half when O’Malley slotted another free but Mayo responded quickly after a well-worked piece of team play that saw Cassidy find a gap to slot the ball over the bar. Cassidy was finding her groove when she turned Galway over again, winning another free just inside the Galway half; Mayo worked the ball into McLoughlin who finished off with a fine point. This was followed up with another point from Sheehy and there was just two between the sides with sixteen minutes left.
That, however, would be the last time Mayo scored as Galway found their rhythm again with points from Heneghan, Isabelle Murray, Sarah Banks and Saoirse Murray to give them a 1-14 to 1-8 lead.
O’Malley rounded up the Galway scoring with two points, one from play and one from a free. However, Mayo kept working hard and Cassidy belted a 13-metre free at the Galway goal but she was unable to find the net and Galway emerged with an eight points win.
Mayo are away to Meath in their next encounter with Galway welcoming Cork on May 23.
Scorers – Galway: Alisha O’Malley 0-8 (6f), Isabelle Murray 1-3, Sarah Banks and Ava Heneghan 0-2 each, Saoirse Murray 0-1.
Mayo: Nicole McLoughlin 1-1, Hannah Sheehy 0-3f, Siomha McNulty, Ava Palasz, Sarah Carney and Louise Cassidy 0-1 apiece.
Mayo: Roisin Dyar; Ashling Cummins, Alana McDonnell, Carla Palasz; Sienna Kelly, Eabha Carney, Anna-Mai Regan; Siomha McNulty, Meabh Callinan; Louise Cassidy, Amy Cummins, Hannah Sheehy; Ava Palasz, Sarah Carney; Nicole McLoughlin. Subs: Abby Conway (for Regan ht), Helen Murrihy (for McLoughlin 47), Leah McHugh (for Sheehy 47), Grace Filan (for Kelly 54), Sarah Courell (for A Cummins 59).
Galway: Eadie Ryan; Leanne Seoighe, Caoimhe McCabe, Ellen Jordan; Ruby Quinn, Jessica Ross, Saoirse Coleman; Klara Banek, Saoirse Murray; Aisling Murray, Sarah Banks, Aoibhinn Madden; Isabelle Murray, Alisha O’Malley, Ava Heneghan. Subs: Grainne Farragher (for Seoighe 14, blood), Sarah McWalter (for I Murray 58), Aoife Nash (for Seoighe 49), Saoirse Melia (for Banek 60+2).
REF: Gus Chapman (Sligo)
