Hat-trick of wins for Mayo girls teams in Inter-League
The Mayo U16s made it nine points from three games after beating rivals Galway.
Three of Mayo’s girls Inter-League squads enjoyed fine victories over the weekend of Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 last.
First up, on the Saturday, was the Emma Gibbons/Kian Flanagan managed under-16s who hosted perennial rivals Galway at Umbro Park, Castlebar. A high-quality match looked to be heading for a 1-1 draw in the closing moments with the Mayo goal having been scored by Zainab Naeem.
Such thoughts were not entertained by Kiltimagh/Knock’s Siofra McGuinness who unleashed an unstoppable rocket of a shot into the top corner of the net sealing the 2-1 victory for Mayo. It was almost a year to the day since she scored a similar goal at the same venue in the Mayo under-16 Cup final. This result maintains Mayo’s excellent start meaning they have now garnered nine points out of their opening three group matches, truly phenomenal.
Kicking off at midday the following day at the same venue was the under-13s who are managed by Mike McGeough, Dave Bristow, Martin Barrett and Helen McGeough, hosted Roscommon and District League. This was their first outing in the competition and an early goal from Lexi Murphy helped Mayo settle into the game and Mayo performed well in the first half limiting the opposition to play mostly in their own half. The visiting goalkeeper was kept busy and made a number of good saves. It was Ruby McNamara who produced the second goal and settled Mayo’s nerves and allowed them to play out the final 10 minutes comfortably in possession. Rachel Hallinan was worthy of a mention playing her first game for Mayo and producing a very tidy performance in the right back position.
Kicking off simultaneously but at the plush surroundings of Westport United’s magnificent new astro was the youngest squad of all, the under-12s. Management of this group is John Hennelly, Michael Collins and Susanne Cunnane and the Midlands League was the opposition. In an entertaining fairly even first half, Mayo had their first chance through Anna Walsh in the tenth minute. A brilliant move up the right flank starting with goalkeeper Deirdre Gilmore and carried on by rampaging full back and captain Sadhbh McGauley ended with the ubiquitous Laoise Heneghan bringing the save of the match from the visiting goalkeeper at the expense of a corner. Centre-back Jamie Browne exhibited brilliant covering on 16 minutes to prevent any shot at goal.
Aided with the strong breeze the Mayo girls became more dominant in the second half. Caoimhe Corcoran was just too high with a snap shot on 28 minutes. A mesmerising Laoise Heneghan run up the right flank ended with her brilliant shot across the ‘keeper skimming the top of the bar. Good work by Anna Walsh and Sadhbh McDonagh created an opening for Caoimhe Corcoran but, again, it was just off target.
Sadhbh McGauley saw her well struck shot well saved before Mayo finally made the breakthrough on 39 minutes. Anna Walsh and Katelyn Moore combined to create the opening for Laoise Heneghan to fire home. Six minutes later, good attacking play down the right flank involving Caitlin Cummins, Caoimhe Corcoran and Katelyn Moore paved the way for Ruth Donnelly to become the second Partry player to score. Katelyn Moore and Anna Walsh were unlucky not to add more goals as Mayo utilised 14 of their 16-girl match day squad. Mayo comfortably saw out the game 2-0 winners.
Midlands agreed to a second friendly match which saw everyone in the extended 25-girl panel get valuable game time. Both matches were refereed by Pearse Concannon.
