Mayo U-16s retain Connacht title after epic extra-time win over Galway

Connacht LGFA U-16 A Final

Mayo 2-18 Galway 3-10 (after extra-time)

In the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, Bekan

SKILL, speed, stamina and sheer unrelenting will to win were all to the fore as the Mayo U-16 girls retained their Connacht title in Bekan this afternoon.

This was a game that had everything. But in the end, Mayo’s superior use of the breeze in the first half of extra time made the difference after the victors clawed it back from a cliff-edge in injury time.

The visitors played an excellent game of football but simply ran out of steam when the game went to extra time.

Galway’s two goals were like stones in Mayo’s shoes in the first half.

Katie Byrne, Lauren McHale and Aoife Meaney shone brightest for Mayo, who went ahead before Laoise McDonagh got the levelling goal with Galway’s first score in the eighth minute. 

Byrne responded a minute later with a goal from a fine finish that came after a lovely sidestep.

The local girls hit five points in a row before a Gemma Casserly-inspired Galway came upon their purple match.

Donal Casserly’s girls took control of possession and hit 1-4 the break with Niamh Ní Fhátharta landing the goal. 

Mayo added a second goal when Kate Byrne won a penalty that Emma Stagg converted with calmness and conviction.

The game hung in the balance until Laoise McDonagh put Galway in the lead for the first time with a goal at the start of the fourth quarter.

An additional point from Eadaoin Hynes put Galway three points up and spelled trouble for a Mayo side playing straight into the East Mayo wind and rain.

Summoning every ounce of fight and determination they had in them, Mayo equalised through points from Kate Byrne (a free), Aoibhinn McNamara and finally Emma Stagg – who kicked a free under immense pressure in the dying seconds to send the game to extra time.

Francis Regan’s girls spun six points in a row in the opening period of extra-time which ultimately secured a hard-fought Connacht title for Mayo.

There will be a full report plus reaction from the Mayo camp in Tuesday’s Mayo News.