Mayo reach Gaynor Trophy final

By Michael Collins

MAYO girls will contest the Gaynor Trophy final tomorrow.

The team were back in action this evening with a 5 p.m. kick-off, facing Clare in the Gaynor Trophy semi-final.

A Clare free kick wide on the left was well defended in the second minute and the Munster girls were just wide with a chance on six minutes.

Mayo slowly worked their way into the game and both Emily Coleman and Caoimhe O'Donnell worked the Clare 'keeper. A dangerous Sophie O'Donnell corner from the right was brilliantly tipped over the bar by the 'keeper before Mayo made the breakthrough on 22 minutes. Another corner - from the left hand side this time - from Ciara Kearney went straight into the net with minimum wind interference.

Sarah Gallagher in the Mayo goal made a smart save in the 32nd minute and her back four were simply immense all day long. Great footwork by Ava Mitchell created a chance for Caoimhe O'Donnell that just whizzed past the post. The half ended with another Sophie set play - a free kick this time - bringing another smart save from the overworked 'keeper.

Mayo began the second half on the attack and inside of two minutes had doubled their lead. Amy Doherty started the move by a smart interception at centre-back and good combination play by Kearney and Coleman created the opening for Grace Carroll to score another splendid goal.

Grace Carroll and Clodagh Breslin did the spadework to enable Kearney to finish impressively with her left foot with 38 minutes on the clock. Clare reduced the leeway two minutes later, went close with a free-kick and forced a number of corners which Mayo brilliantly defended.

With time running out, Sophie O'Donnell got the goal her all round display deserved after more brilliant work by the unbelievable Coleman. It sealed the 4-1 victory.

Mayo face Inishowen in the Trophy final tomorrow (Friday) morning at 11 a.m.