Both Mayo and Donegal went into yesterday’s NFL Division One Round 2 clash at St Mary’s Convoy on the back of opening round wins. Donegal’s victory over Dublin in Round 1 was particularly impressive and they backed it up yesterday as they got the better of Peter Leahy’s Mayo on a scoreline of 3-10 to 2-7.
The win yesterday was fashioned from a dominant second half display. It was level at half-time and it was in that opening period that the visitors played their best football.
Captain Niamh Kelly was sin-binned early on and in her absence Donegal raced into a 1-4 to 0-1 lead. Once she was back on, though, Niamh led the charge for Mayo, scoring the goal that got them right back into it. Four points on the bounce followed as the visitors opened up a two-point lead but Donegal got the last two scores of the half to leave it all-square at the break.
The visitors got the first point on the resumption to edge back in front. Then, however, Donegal struck for two goals in quick succession and there was no way back from there for Mayo.
A second Mayo goal – this one from Rachel Kearns – cut the gap to four but the home side, managed by Maxi Curran, got the day’s two final scores, both from Niamh Hegarty, as they won by six.
Match reports on yesterday’s game are here – LGFA, Donegal Daily, Highland Radio (includes audio), RTÉ (Round 2 round-up).
By the way, it’s worth noting in passing that yesterday’s match was streamed live on Facebook. Fair play to all involved for this interesting initiative.
Next up for the Mayo ladies is, like the lads, a trip to Croke Park to play Dublin. That match, on Saturday week (23rd February), acts as the curtain-raiser to the men’s clash and it throws in at HQ at 5pm that evening.
Well done to the Mayo women. Despite the huge turnover and loss of great experience they have shown real grit and determination. I’m very proud of them and hope they get the support and success they deserve. Donegal are riding high at the moment so this loss must be seen in that light. Hope to see big numbers in the capital to support them on Saturday week… or is it Sunday! Maigheo all the way ?
Hard luck to the ladies … Some great work being done at underage in the club scene .. Tough at the moment but future is bright
Mayo going very well but can nobody mediate with the missing players and get them back in the panel , everyone is needed for the greater cause ,what about Enda Kenny getting everyone at least talking
Culmore – what on earth are you talking about? Mediation? Explain, please.
Donegal are a good side they are very strong and have good forwards I’d say there is an all Ireland in them in the next few years good to see our ladies on the same bill as the men’s against Dublin Saturday week hopefully everyone will get in early and support them
Are Sarah Tierney and Aileen Gilroy injured or just not on panel. I know Carnacon players are not included but just wondered about those 2 all stars from 2017 neither of whom are from Carnacon?
Sarah tierney left^^
Just a thought,
You must have been asleep for a good part of last year if you do not know why Sarah Tierney, who before she departed was captain, left the panel. She was the one player who was quite explicit about why she was quitting and her story was never contradicted. Apparently because she questioned Leahy’s training methods on one occasion she was undermined constantly by him until her confidence was broken. Why Aileen Gilroy is not playing I do not know. I am not aware of her making any statement or declaration.
@Culmore. I remember Brian Cowan getting involved in the row subsequent to the Thierry Henry (hand ball) that put paid to Ireland’s chances of getting to the Euro finals… I think it was a pretty embarrassing episode for Brian, Bertie Ahern . tried to get involved in bringing Roy Keane back to the Irish fold following the Saipan row with Mick McCarthy.. again without success …To my mind Politicians getting involved in disputes of a sporting nature only makes matter’s worse. .We have a Minister for Sport (Hockey at least) and it’s plain to be seen just how effective he was when he went to Rio, to put manner’s on Hickey, something that he had a cabinet mandate to do, and of course he failed embarrassingly…. Keep the Politicians well away from it, it will resolve itself, maybe not this year but I’m sure that it will resolve itself!
Mayo needs their best team on the field. All disputes are ended by talks between the parties involved. In order for talks to start a dispute needs an
Independent Chairman to get the side together
I’m a bit slow this week, Culmore – apologies. Now I see it’s the ladies you’re on about. I think that particular ship has, in any case, now sailed.
The young Carnacon players who were trying to establish themselves in the Mayo team are the real losers in this.
Some of the more senior players were coming to the end of their playing careers in any case.
Hope these young player get their chance to play for the county again sooner rather than later.