Late Dundalk rally sees Mayo FC U-17 girls end maiden League of Ireland campaign with six-goal draw

LOI Academy WU17 Tier Two

Mayo FC 3

9 C Breslin 28, K Brennan 45+1 

Dundalk FC 3

74 A Fanning, 86 J Freeman, 90 C Brady

In Umbro Park

After a thrilling game of football Mayo FC had to settle for a single point against Dundalk.

Despite Mayo leading 3-0 at the interval, a late second half comeback from the visitors meant that the spoils were shared.

The first Mayo goal came in the ninth minute, after the lively Clodagh Breslin got on the end of a long ball and calmly chipped the Dundalk goalkeeper. 

Mayo were applying heavy pressure and this paid off with 28 minutes on the clock.

Mayo captain, Emily Jennings, played an inch-perfect pass to Kate Brennan. Brennan made no mistake as the ball rattled the back of the net. 

Dundalk had a slight purple patch where they created several chances, but the Mayo defence stood strong and cleared their lines. 

Mayo’s third goal of the first half arrived with 46 minutes played. A Mary Moran long-range effort could not be controlled by the Dundalk goalkeeper, and the excellent Kate Brennan was the first to react, firing the loose ball into the back of the net.

The home side led 3-0 at the interval, but Dundalk would not go away.

Despite Mayo starting the second half strongly, with 74 minutes played, Dundalk began the comeback. Aoife Fanning got on the end of a corner to find the back of the net. Jennifer Freeman reduced the deficit to one goal in the 86th minute, and despite Mayo’s best efforts to hold on to the lead, it was not to be. As the game entered the 90th minute, a wonder strike from Ciara Brady from 20 metres out levelled the game.

There was no time for either team to find a winner as both teams left Milebush with one point.

Read a full report with reaction in Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News.