Mayo girls win national title
Mayo, SFAI Inter-League U13 girls Trophy winners.
The Mayo Schoolboys/Girls and Youths AFL had two of its teams in action at the SFAI Inter League National Finals in Evergreen, Co Kilkenny last Saturday, May 23. The U12 boys faced Dundalk SL in a Trophy Final while the U13 girls also had a Trophy Final against near neighbours Galway.
In extremely warm conditions on an astroturf pitch, the Mayo girls were on the attack from the word go and Lucy Duffy was just wide with a snapshot in the opening minute. Just sixty seconds later, she went one better when her powerfully hit shot flew past the Galway ‘keeper. Eadaoin Mulroy then saw her shot go just too high, Ali Clarke got forward from central midfield to fire just wide and Duffy was denied by the busy opposition ‘keeper.
Mayo doubled their lead on seven minutes when the impressive Laoise Heneghan rifled an unstoppable shot from the edge of the penalty box into the top corner. A goal that her heroes at Spurs would be proud of! Mayo were very dominant at this stage with their midfield of Ali Clarke, Lucy Cunnigham and Laoise Heneghan maintaining a steady stream of good quality ball to a hard-working front three of Lucy Duffy, Eadaoin Mulroy and Anna Holmes. The front three were excellent too at the pressing they executed on the Galway goal-kicks regularly turning over the ball or forcing a throw-in high up the pitch.
Anna Holmes had two shots saved in the space of two minutes while Eadaoin was just too high on the 15-minute mark. Galway had their first real attempt on 18 minutes going wide as Mayo totally bossed the first half. Anna Holmes was unlucky on 20 minutes; Lucy Duffy had yet another effort saved a minute later and Laoise Heneghan was denied by the ‘keeper in the 28th minute as Mayo reached half-time 2-0 up.
Mayo opened the second half with the same attacking football as the first half when Duffy put over a brilliant cross from the left but unfortunately there were no takers at the back post. Mulroy then when on a wonderful dribbling run straight at the heart of the Galway defence only being denied by a superb last-ditch tackle at the expense of a corner. Heneghan’s terrific delivery was somehow scrambled out of the six-yard box as that much hoped for third goal continued elusive for Mayo.
A loss of concentration in the Mayo side allowed Galway to halve the arrears on 36 minutes and now it was very much “game on”. A few Galway substitutions raised the physical stakes a few notches and both sides’ physios were called for on more than one occasion. The Mayo back four of Caoimhe Corcoran, Caitlin Cummins, Alice Burrows and Aine Hughes were having much more to do now as was goalkeeper Ellen O’Flaherty.
Mayo’s first change saw the introduction of Anna Jennings and both Anna and Laoise had half chances but most of the play was now in the Mayo half. Galway forced several corners from both sides, but the Mayo girls defended them exceptionally well, none more so than the combative Ali Clarke, who shipped a kick to her head during one such set-piece but was soon up and giving her all again. Lucy Murphy took up a role first at centre forward and later at right wing forcing Galway back, and the final Mayo switch saw Sadhbh Mc Gauley excel up the left-wing. Eadaoin Mulroy was redeployed from centre-forward to centre back to bring a bit more calmness to the proceedings. Galway continued to be the more threatening side but apart from one or two “half scares” the Mayo goal remained secure. The referee’s final whistle was greeted by scenes of great joy by the Mayo players and their sizeable following. Following the 2-1 victory, captain Eadaoin Mulroy lifted the cup capping yet another national title for the Mayo Schoolgirls. The future is bright.
Manager John Hennelly said: “Overall, a great season for the Mayo U13 girls. The girls (and their parents) showed great commitment and dedication travelling from all over the county to train in Milebush every week. They are a very good and friendly group to coach and their willingness to learn and improve came to the fore in Kilkenny on Saturday.” Coach Susanne Cunnane had the following to say: “This group of girls are among the most enjoyable, well mannered and dedicated group I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching. They are incredible ambassadors for their clubs and a credit to their parents.
“Not only were they eager and enthusiastic to improve themselves as players, their encouragement of each other as teammates is most admirable. I’ve enjoyed every training session and match thoroughly throughout the season.” Veteran Mayo Schoolgirls coach Michael Collins said. “First and foremost, this is all about the squad of 26 girls that we have worked with since last September. Some 36 sessions later at the early hour of 9am on a Saturday morning, trips to Donegal, Clara and Kilkenny and they are Inter League Champions.
“We have had to face a few challenges this year but years of experience dealing with the best female players in this county, gives us a certain gravitas in how we handle things. And our achievements do our talking!
“I would dedicate this particular victory to Dave Breen, Patrick Lambe, Tom Mullin and John Flanagan from the Schoolboys/girls league. I had Tom on the phone both before and after the Final and John Flanagan too was ringing despite not being in the country.
“As Mayo Schoolgirls Head Coach, John has that knack of having the right people in the right roles across all the age spectrums. My fellow coaches John Hennelly and Susanne Cunnane have been a breath of fresh air this past two years. Having Amber Glavey, a player that I had at under-13/14 level helping Grace Hennelly out with kit and logistics on the day was brilliant too. Onto the Gaynor Cup next year!”
Meanwhile, the Mayo under-12 boys battled bravely in their own Trophy final but fell to a 3-1 defeat to Dundalk SL.
