Mayo blown away by Dublin's storming second half

LADIES NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Mayo 2-8

Dublin 2-15

Ballina

A second half implosion resulted in Mayo falling to a disappointing loss in James Stephens Park on Sunday afternoon.

The wind-ravaged encounter was undoubtedly a game of two halves with Mayo bossing much of the first period and the guests utterly dominating matters after the resumption. In truth, Dublin were worthy winners but the seven-point winning margin slightly flattered Mick Bohan's side, given the fact that they were just two in front going into injury time.

The first 20 minutes belonged to Mayo and a Lisa Cafferky master-class had helped the home side to a ten-point lead with Sinead Walsh and Fiona McHale also prominent.

The hosts eventually went to the dressingroom with a nine-point lead, 2-7 to 0-4, but it didn't look enough, given the strength of the gale and so it proved to be. 

Mayo had one shot at the posts in the second half and that came in the 59^th minute when Cafferky fired over a free, but by that time Dublin had overhauled the home side and were in the ascendancy.

A goal from Caoimhe O'Connor and fine play from the entire Dublin team smothered Mayo and pinned them back into their own goalmouth at times. The home kick-out strategy was in severe trouble with Dublin gobbling up the ball and the guests were in front with 13 minutes of normal time remaining. Mayo's habit of carrying the ball into traffic and losing possession cost them dearly and Dublin powered on.

Mayo fought hard to stop the rot but couldn't get the ball up the pitch and only had Cafferky's point from a late free to hang their hat on.

Things went from bad to worse in injury time at the end when the All Ireland champions raced away with a goal from the impressive Kate Sullivan and a stream of points to run out clear and deserving winners on a disappointing day for Liam McHale's team.

A full report and aftermatch reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News