Mayo ladies beaten by Dublin in first league game of 2025

Lidl National Football League Division 1 Round 1

Dublin 2-7 Mayo 1-7

In Parnell Park

Goals in either half were the author of Mayo’s downfall as Liam McHale’s side lost their first competitive game of 2025 this afternoon.

Green flags from Rebecca McDonnell and Jodie Egan won it for the Leinster champions on a day when Mayo were competitive - though wasteful - from start to finish.

Playing against a Dublin team with few starters from the 2024 All-Ireland quarter-final, Mayo narrowed the game to two points in the last minute of normal time, but their high wide count came back to haunt them and the Jackies saw it through.

Mayo tackled hard and worked like slaves in the first half, but only got one score from play - a cracking 28th-minute goal from Sinéad Walsh.

An earlier Rebecca McDonnell goal after a turnover had given the hosts a seven-point lead after 22 minutes.

Walsh - who scored all of Mayo’s points in the first half - replied with two frees before the excellent Erin Murray won a turnover and gave it to Maria Cannon, who fed Walsh to crash into the roof of the net.

Within seconds of the resumption, Mayo were put on the back foot when midfielder Chloe Darby finished a goal that put Dublin 2-4 1-4 ahead.

The home side extended their lead with points from Jodie Egan and Chloe Darby but did not score again until injury time. 

Mayo narrowed the gap during that spell with points from Sinéad Walsh (a free), Sherin El Massry and Mayo senior debutant Kayla Doherty.

However, Dublin hit back with a free from Chloe Darby and claimed both points on home soil.

A full report plus reaction will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News.