Ladies seal semi-final place

Willie Joe

Photo: @ohfadabee

I should, I know, have mentioned the county’s ladies football team before now this week but, as is so often the case, their big match got overlooked. Apologies, ladies, but also congrats on your fantastic win over Donegal in this afternoon’s All-Ireland quarter-final at Cusack Park in Mullingar.

Like the lads, the ladies were forced to take the scenic route this summer. This afternoon’s quarter-final against Donegal was expected to be a tough proposition for them and so it proved early on when they found themselves in arrears by 2-2 to 0-2.

Despite losing Fiona Doherty to the sin bin, that gap was narrowed by a succession of points. By the time Mayo were back up to their full complement there was only a point in it and by half-time it was all-square, 0-11 to 2-5.

Although Donegal edged back by a point just after the break, a goal by Niamh Kelly saw Mayo take the lead and they never looked back from there. The Ulster side battled back, closing the gap to a point, but then Cora Staunton bagged a second goal for Mayo and now they were really in the driving seat.

Donegal pushed forward as they sought to get back on terms but that left them open to counter-attacks at the back. A swift downfield move saw Grace Kelly gather possession on the wing, head for goal and unleash a thunderbolt to the net. See for yourself:

From there on it was plain sailing. Cora banged over a long-range point to complete the Mayo ladies’ scoring and they won in the finish by six, on a scoreline of 3-14 to 2-11.

Match report on today’s win by Colm Gannon in the Mayo Advertiser is here.

Next up for the ladies is a real tough one – a semi-final meeting with defending champions Cork who destroyed Galway in today’s other quarter-final tie. That semi-final is down for decision on 2nd September.

16 thoughts on “Ladies seal semi-final place”

  1. Brilliant result for our women. What a goal from Grace Kelly… great to see a Mayo team play like this. Well done and hope you have same result against Cork on 2nd Sept. Maigheo go deo

  2. Superb second half performance by the ladies today. The Kelly sisters, Niamh and Grace in particular were immense and that goal above from Grace is as good as any goal you’ll see this summer.

    Big challenge ahead with Cork awaiting in the semi-finals on September 2nd – they are not the spent force it had been suggested they were and Mayo owe them a beating or two. But just like the men, these women like to rip up the script and it will be a cracker.

    Well done to Frank Browne and his team and of course our brilliant women. Keep her lit!

  3. Wow what a performance by the Mayo Ladies .Well done to everyone involved on the Panel and back room team and Manager Frank Browne .
    Can anyone tell me of any other County which has a Ladies Senior Football team and a Senior Mens team in an All Ireland Semi Final?

  4. Fab goal by Grace Kelly . Hope the lads can produce something as good .well done ladies and best to the Lads tomorrow. HON MAYO

  6. Great result & gutsy performance. The Kelly girls’ class, Gilroy’s pace & Staunton’s leadership stood out ( I wish she would take frees off the ground – too many simple frees were missed) Need to be far more streetwise when in front and play keep-ball, as they presented Donegal with a hatful of chances late on.There is also a lack of pace in a few positions. Would dearly love to see them beat Cork & of course they can, but they need to protect the ball much better. Congrats to all concerned.0

  7. Well done to the ladies. Wouldn’t it be great to see Cora back in Croke Park on final day. Best of luck against Cork.

  15. The best of Luck versus Cork… Great result today… It’s getting time for me to go to the Léaba… But I’m afraid that I’ll miss the alarm and won’t make it to the Croke Park… Not a snowballs chance in hell of that happening!

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