All-Ireland title secured by GMIT Mayo ladies

GMIT Mayo won a tense LGFA HEC Cup final against the University of Ulster on a 1-9 to 0-10 scoreline today to complete a fantastic double, the league title having been secured in December.

Blustery conditions in DCU made for a difficult affair but Ulster settled more quickly with three unanswered points.

Bronagh Quinn got GMIT Mayo off the mark taking a quick free while Emma Halton added a free after she was fouled going through on goal.

Ulster responded with two points in succession by their dangerous corner forward, Cathleen Kelly, and their stand-out player, Lauren Rushe.

The westerners couldn't find the rhythm that had been their trademark all year and were four points down at the break. However, they would have a strong breeze at their backs in the second half.

Emma Halton opened their second-half account with a lovely score, which was quickly followed by a beautiful point from Siobhan Brew. When Anna Tuohy landed a great long distance free, it looked like the comeback was on – but the northern girls were managing to break with efficiency and managed to keep the gap to three points.

The ever-dangerous Tuohy came close to levelling matters with a thunderous effort that crashed off the crossbar, but the reprieve for UU was short-lived as Lisa Scahill reacted quickest to a long free to punch the ball over the advancing 'keeper to level the sides.

This gave the girls the boost they needed and although UU added another point, they struggled to clear their lines.

GMIT Mayo finished strongly, with points from Anna Tuohy, Emma Halton and Siobhan Brew sealing the victory, and the final whistle was met with wild celebrations.