Mayo Ladies dodge Division 1 relegation with win over Kildare

LIDL NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1 ROUND 1

Mayo 3-4 Kildare 0-12

In Swinford

The Mayo Ladies have maintained their Division 1 status for at least another week by securing their first win of the year in nerve-shattering fashion. 

Three first-half goals from Sinéad Walsh (2) and Annie Gough were crucial as Liam McHale’s women dodged relegation ahead of another must-win meeting with Waterford this weekend.

However, this win came after a second half where Mayo only scored one point, one in which Kildare came within inches of relegating the hosts. 

Mayo played an inventive brand of running football which saw them mount several attacks on the Kildare rearguard. 

One such attack saw them dispossessed near the goal before Sinéad Walsh pounced to raise a green flag to put Mayo ahead for the first time after nine minutes. 

The Lilywhites kept within touching distance of Mayo with several impressive scores. That was until Walsh pounced on a ball spilled by Kildare goalkeeper Mary Hilgarine to put Mayo six points up after 26 minutes.

The impressive Aoife Geraghty, whose shot led indirectly to the second goal, won a penalty just before half-time that was converted by Annie Gough. 

Leading 3-3 to 0-7 at the break, Mayo were far less clinical in front of goal in the second half as Kildare slowly narrowed the gap back to a point by the 50th minute. 

The Lilywhites kept up their pursuit and the drama climaxed when the referee awarded a hop ball in front of the Mayo goal, which found its way to Kildare’s Leah McGovern. Her point attempt dipped and hit the crossbar, and Mayo were pronounced winners seconds later. 

A full report, plus reaction from Mayo footballer Aoife Geraghty and manager Liam McHale, will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News.