Liam McHale makes five changes to Mayo ladies team for do-or-die Kildare clash

MAYO ladies manager Liam McHale has changed a third of the starting team that lined out in their recent defeat to Kerry. 

With Mayo needing to beat Kildare to avoid relegation to Division 1, McHale has given starts to Sinéad Walsh, Sherin El Massry, Aoife Geraghty, Chelsea Doherty and Annie Gough, who replace Maria Cannon, Ciara Durkan, Ciara Whyte, Riona Jordan and Kayla Doherty.

Walsh’s return will provide a big boost to Mayo, who scored just once from play against the All-Ireland champions Kerry. 

READ MORE: Relegation looms large for Mayo ladies ahead of Kildare visit

Mayo will enjoy home advantage against a fifth-placed Kildare team who need a result to push clear of the relegation zone. 

The green and red enjoyed an impressive win over the Lilywhites when the teams sparred in the group stages in last year’s championship. However, Mayo have since lost several key players and have lost all five of their league games this year. 

Kildare, the Division 2 title holders, travel to Swinford Amenity Park knowing that even a draw will relegate Mayo. 

A win for Kildare, and Tyrone failing to beat Dublin, will ensure the Lilywhites’ Division 1 status for 2026. 

Pat Sullivan’s side have recorded wins over Dublin and Meath in this year’s league campaign. Sullivan has made two changes to the starting team that lost to Armagh, as Leah Doran and Aoife Murnane come in for Lauren Murtagh and Ciara Price.

The Mayo team to face Kildare in Round 6 of the Lidl National Football League Division 1 in Swinford Amenity Park at 3pm, Saturday, March 22, is as follows: Julia Gawalkiewicz; Lucy Wallace, Nicola O’Malley, Sherin El Massry; Danielle Caldwell (captain), Jenna Mortimer, Saoirse Lally; Hannah Reape, Aoife Geraghty; Chelsea Doherty, Erin Murray, Bree Hession; Annie Gough, Clodagh Keane, Sinéad Walsh.