Mayo girls excel in Limerick

The prestigious national Gaynor Cup competition took place last week at the University of limerick Sports Campus and the Mayo Under 14 girls team competed impressively. Their prize at the end of the week was an impressive, deserved and hard-earned fifth-place finish in the 27-team tournament.

The competition began on Bank Holiday Monday and Mayo's first opposition were the girls from Limerick District League. Mayo began well and with only three minutes gone, a Grace Cunningham shot was blocked but Caoimhe O'Donnell reacted quickest to fire Mayo ahead. O Donnell had a second goal shortly afterwards when she sent a deft chip over the ‘keeper after good work by Ava Mitchell.

Mitchell was then fouled in the box and she dusted herself down to score Mayo’s third goal of the day. Limerick pulled a goal back late in the game but Mayo were clear and deserving 3-1 winners.

Mayo were back in action early on the Tuesday facing the North Eastern Regional League (NERL). Emily Coleman gave Mayo the lead after eight minutes following a clever pass from Leah Kilcullen. NERL levelled the game early in the second half, but Coleman got her and Mayo’s second on 42 minutes. Late in the game, Anna Burton was fouled in the penalty area and Ava Mitchell rifled home her second consecutive penalty in two games to see Mayo again run out 3-1 winners.

Six hours later Mayo were back in action with Waterford being their opposition. Management made eight changes to their starting line-up as they sought the single point that would see them top the group. Waterford led after nine minutes, but Maya Benson grabbed an equaliser for Mayo on 26 minutes and 1-1 was how it remained with Mayo topping their group and going into the cup quarter-finals with the other six group winners.

KNOCK-OUT STAGES

Mayo played the Midlands League in that last-eight tie on Wednesday and were excellent in the first half. There were half chances for Ava Mitchell and Anna Burton before Emily Coleman displayed terrific centre forward play to fire Mayo ahead after 23 minutes. A smart Aoibheann McGreal save in the Mayo goal retained the lead while Mitchell and Anna Meaney tackled hard in the middle of the pitch.

In the second half, Emily Coleman was out of luck twice in quick succession. First, she saw the Midlands goalkeeper keep out her effort at the second attempt before a fantastic shot came back off the crossbar. Midlands played their way back into the game and equalised after some terrific passing up the left flank.

That gave them a huge boost and they pressed forward looking to take the lead. McGreal pulled off the save of the match, down to her left, but it only delayed the inevitable second Midlands goal which arrived in added on time after some more intricate passing.

It was an early start again on Thursday morning as Mayo faced into the three-team round robin fixtures with the other losing quarter-finalists to determine overall final placings. Longford were put to the sword quite emphatically with an Emily Coleman 'perfect' hat-trick doing the damage – left foot, header and right foot - to see Mayo run out 3-0 winners. Kayla Helly, Grace Mulroy and Sive Flanagan were to the fore in this game.

Mayo's final game was against Wexford on Thursday evening and it proved to be a thriller. Playing with the wind in the first half, Mayo created lots of chances but failed to take any of them due in the main to an inspired goalkeeping performance by the Wexford net-minder. Caoimhe O Donnell, Emily Coleman and Anna Burton all went close, but Wexford served notice of their danger with a goal ruled out for offside on the stroke of half-time.

The second half was a much more balanced affair with Anna Meaney’s tackling at left back being a feature. Mayo went close through Ava Mitchell, but Wexford should have scored in a one-on-one with Mayo 'keeper Aoibheann McGreal which went wide, and they hit the post from a set play late on.

PENALTIES

The full-time whistle signalled the scoreless draw and penalties were necessary. The Mayo girls embraced the to run out 3-2 winners with the goals scored by Saoirse Reynolds, Caoimhe Kitching and Anna Burton as goalkeeper Aoibheann Mc Greal pulled off three fantastic saves.

That result meant that Mayo finished impressively in fifth place overall and this allied to the group’s earlier SFAI Inter-League victory, qualifies as an excellent season for John Hennelly, his management team and squad.

“I was delighted with our overall performance in four wins, one draw and one defeat and a victory in a penalty shoot-out. Finishing fifth overall out of 27 teams is a massive achievement by the young Mayo girls,” the manager explained afterwards.

“Every girl on the squad deserves great credit. Emily Coleman finished the week in runners-up spot for the Golden Boot award just the one goal behind. The 20 girls represented their county with pride, they are a credit to themselves, their coaches, families and the Mayo Schoolboys, girls and Youths AFL. Thanks to all the supporters who made the numerous trips between Mayo and Limerick last week and to those who stayed over. It was a great boost to the Mayo players and management to have such vocal support at the six matches.

“A huge amount of people contributed to this success and the future is definitely bright for girls’ soccer in Mayo,” he concluded.