Mayo rocked by Armagh in thrilling encounter

Mayo were knocked out of the TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship after today's Round 3 encounter against Armagh at Parnell Park, Dublin. Armagh qualified for their first senior semi-final since 2015 thanks to a 4-12 to 1-16 victory over Peter Leahy's charges.

Aimee Mackin scored two of Armagh's four goals, with Kelly Mallon and Catherine Marley scoring one each, while substitute Fiona Doherty found the net for Mayo.

While Doherty's goal levelled the game, points from Aoife McCoy and Mallon in addition to Marley’s goal in the final minute saw Armagh advance to a semi-final against defending champions Dublin.

While the winning margin was five points in the end, the teams were level on seven occasions and Mayo were in with a chance of victory as late as the 55th minute.

Grace Kelly, who was outstanding all afternoon, put Mayo into the lead on four minutes but Aimee Mackin levelled a couple of minutes later and then put the Orchard County into a lead for the first but not the last time.

Sarah Rowe was well marshalled by Tiarna Grimes but got free to level the game before Mallon scored Armagh's first goal on 12 minutes.

After that Mayo enjoyed their best period of the game, Sinead Cafferky, Grace Kelly and Deirdre Doherty all weighing in with scores as they went 0-10 to 1-3 clear.

However, the game turned in the blink of an eye as Kelly Mallon (free) and Aimee Mackin narrowed the gap before the latter, taking a pass from her sister Blaithín, fired the ball to the net off the ground.

Further scores from the Mackin sisters left Armagh in a 2-7 to 0-8 advantage by half-time, giving Mayo much work to do on the turnaround.

Fiona Doherty and Mary McHale were introduced at half-time and had an immediate impact as they lined up for the latter to score four minutes after the break.

A third Armagh goal had the Ulster county in a healthy lead but Mayo staged an admirable fight back, and when Cafferky broke a throw ball into Doherty's path and she scored from an acute angle, the game was tied at 1-13 to 3-7.

Armagh were always dangerous in attack, however, and points from McCoy and Mallon put them back into the lead. While Deirdre and Fiona Doherty kept Mayo in touch, Armagh made sure of the win when Catherine Marley hit the net in the final minute.

Armagh: A. Carr; S. Marley, C. McCambridge, S. Grey; T. Grimes, B. Mackin (0-1), G. Ferguson; N. Coleman, A. Bellew; C. Marley (1-0), A. McCoy (0-1), E. Lavery; C. O’Hanlon, K. Mallon (1-3), A. Mackin (2-7). Sub used: T. McVeigh.

Mayo: L. Brennan; D. Caldwell, R. Durkin, Ciara McManamon; É. Ronayne, D. Finn, E. Brennan; A. Gilroy (0-1), Clodagh McManamon; G. Kelly (0-4), S. Cafferky (0-2), S. Rowe (0-2); M. Reilly, R. Kearns, D. Doherty (0-4). Subs used: F. Doherty (1-1), M. McHale (0-2), K. Sullivan, C. Whyte.

*Pictured above, Kelly Mallon of Armagh in action against Éilis Ronayne of Mayo during the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football Championship Round 3 match at Parnell Park, Dublin. Photo: Sam Barnes / Sportsfile