Mayo ladies end league campaign with win over Waterford

Lidl National Football League Division 1 Round 7

Mayo 2-9 Waterford 2-6

Oisín McGovern in Ballina

MAYO have finished fifth in the top tier of ladies intercounty football after a win over a Waterford team that was in right until the end.

An ability to close out the game led to a tense finish as Mayo saw our their opponents by three.

Two earlier goals from the impressive young Fionnuala McLaughlin were among the highlight from a Mayo win that was solid but far from overwhelming.

McLaughlin got the first of her green flags minutes after the throw-in when she cancelled out an opening goal from Waterford’s Lauren McGregor.

The first half ebbed and flowed as both sides enjoyed their fruitful spells.

Both teams found the net once more during each of these spells, with McGregor crashing home an outrageous effort for Waterford before McLaughlin again came up trumps for Mayo in injury time.

Leading 2-5 to 2-2 at the break, Mayo began the half with a Lisa Cafferky score before a 19-minute barren spell that was ended with a good effort from their former captain, Kathryn Sullivan.

The Déise bit back with three unanswered points to make it a two-point game before an impressive late free from Maria Cannon gave Liam McHale’s side breathing room – and ultimately, victory.

There will be a full report plus reaction carried in Tuesday’s print edition of The Mayo News.