Mayo show fighting qualities to defeat Leitrim and secure senior status

TG4 ALL-IRELAND SFC RELEGATION PLAY-OFF

Mayo 2-14

Leitrim 0-13

In Tubbercurry

MAYO secured their senior status with a hard-earned but richly-deserved win over a fine Leitrim team this afternoon. Defeat would have left them on the edge of a fall to intermediate football in 2026, but the Green and Red pulled away in the second half to the delight of their vocal supporters in Kilcoyne Park.

There was little to choose between the teams in the first half, but Mayo created a number of goal chances before Sinead Walsh showed her class to finish smartly to the net after 12 minutes.

At the other end Muireann Devaney was in fine form and the Glencar Maonrhamilton attacker needed careful minding from the Mayo defenders.

Mayo were just two points up ten minutes into the second half, when Erin Murray was fouled and they were awarded a penalty. However, Annie Gough's spot-kick was saved by impressive Leitrim goalkeeper Michelle Guckian.

That gave the Green and Gold huge belief and they powered onwards, but Mayo drew a line in the sand and played some of their best football of the year. Team captain Danielle Caldwell, Nicola O'Malley, Saoirse Lally, Lucy Wallace, Clodagh Keane, Hannah Reape, Sherin El Masry and substitutes Ava McDonnell, Erin Murray and Ciara Whyte caught the eye while veteran defender Kathryn Sullivan was relentless as the Mayo women drove forward time and time again.

Mayo were five points clear after 30 minutes of the second half and finished strongly. McDonnell got on the end of a flowing move to score her side's second goal and seal the deal as the loyal Mayo followers celebrated in the stand.

Leitrim had a late penalty after the referee ruled that Saoirse Lally had blocked a goal-bound effort with her foot, but Ailbhe Clancy's spot-kick went over the crossbar and Mayo were safely in senior football for 2026.

A full match report, analysis and after-match reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.