Bragging rights for Galway as they just get the better of Mayo

In a tense, low-scoring encounter, Galway just got the better of Mayo in the Connacht LGFA Under 16 A final at James Stephens Park, Ballina, this evening.

Just a point separated the sides at the end of 60 minutes, with Galway hanging on for a 1-7 to 1-6 victory despite having a player in the sin bin for the closing stages.

There was little between the sides all through but Galway, displaying slightly greater cohesiveness all over the field, were marginally the better team and could have won by more had they shown greater accuracy in front of goal.

They were hanging on somewhat at the end, however, as Mayo came with a strong late surge.

Mayo deployed Alanna Fitzpatrick in a sweeper role and she was needed in that defensive position as Rachel O'Malley was shown a yellow card just seven minutes in, sending her to the sin bin for 10 minutes.

By then Niamh Mooney had opened the scoring, putting Mayo a point ahead, but Galway levelled following the free that resulted in O'Malley's card, Ava Trayers supplying the finish at the end of a few quick passes.

Galway were now exploiting the gaps and the dangerous Siobhan Carr scored a fine goal after another move from deep to put the Tribeswomen 1-1 to 0-1 up.

Mayo were a shade fortunate that the Galway girls hadn't worn their shooting boots, otherwise the deficit would have been greater.

And instead of falling well behind they managed to equalise thanks to a terrific jinking run and finish by Bree Hession, a score that brought the game bursting into life.

The water break seemed to sap momentum from both teams, however, as play became largely confined to the middle third, with both defences well on top.

A late point from Lauren O'Donnell gave Galway the most slender of leads, 1-2 to 1-1, going into the break, but Mayo were happy with that knowing they would have wind advantage for the second period.

That second half was far more lively from the get-go. Carr and Niamh Divilly, a powerful full-forward, put Galway 1-4 to 1-1 ahead but Mayo responded well, with Hession, Hannah Prendergast and Ava Kelly landing three in a row to level the game again.

Another point by Carr gave Galway the advantage once more by the water break, and it looked as though the visitors were about to turn for home when Divilly fired over two points in quick succession inside the final 10 minutes.

But a yellow card for Divilly, who was a great ball-winner for Galway, gave Mayo the numerical advantage with five minutes plus injury time to go, and they cut the gap to just one with points from Hannah Sheehy and Alanna Fitzpatrick.

Too often in the second half Mayo failed to commit numbers forward but they were nearly all up front for the final few minutes as they threw everything forward in search of the equaliser. Galway brought everyone back as well, however, and managed to crowd it out sufficiently to thwart Mayo in their quest for parity, or better.

Mayo will take little comfort from having contributed hugely to a highly entertaining contest but it's safe to say that on this evidence, the future looks bright for both counties on the football field.

Mayo: Ciara Brennan; Laoise Coyne, Ellie Maguire, Caitlin Henry; Rita Cafferkey, Beth Hoban, Sarah Mulroy; Rachel O'Malley, Ava Kelly (0-1); Niamh Mooney (0-1), Hannah Prendergast (0-1), Alanna Fitzpatrick (0-1); Hannah Sheehy (0-1), Allanah Devereux, Bree Hession (1-1)

Subs used: Sarah Carney, Ava Palasz, Saoirse Byrne.

Galway: Leah O'Halloran; Hannah Jennings, Aoibhinn Eilian, Rachel Kelly; Aoife Nash, Brenda Naughton, Sadbh Farthing; Ava Trayers (0-1), Molly Boote; Éabha Brennan, Lauren O'Donnell (0-1), Kate Thompson; Siobhan Carr (1-2), Niamh Divilly (0-3, 0-2f), Grainne Hanley.

Subs used: Shríofra Ní Scanláin, Anna Browne, Éabha Smith.