Mayo ladies senior team now back at the top table

MAYO ladies senior footballers can, for the third year running, look back at what was another successful year on the inter-county scene.

The highlight was regaining the Connacht title, their first since 2016. While they bowed out of the All-Ireland series by losing to Kerry, they are now rated among the top sides in the country and can look forward to the years ahead with plenty of confidence of challenging for the big honours.

Soon after the Mayo senior team's season ended came the news that manager Michael Moyles had decided to step down after three years at the helm.

It was generally felt that Moyles had done a tremendous job and built a fine young side able to compete against the best. The new man in charge – another former Mayo senior star, Liam McHale – has inherited a great panel of players and will be hoping to bring them to All-Ireland glory.

Their year started off with the National League. While they came out on the wrong side of a number of narrow defeats, they still held on to their Division 1 status. Indeed, the team management used many of their games in the league to give panel members a run-out and a chance to show their worth. As the league came to a close, it was evident that Mayo were ready for a big assault on the championship.

First up was the Connacht decider against their old foes, Galway. Mayo hadn’t beaten Galway since 2016 in the provincial final. The number one focus from the start of the year was to end this Galway dominance in Connacht – and end it they did, in some style.

This victory was achieved on the back of a superb second-half performance, during which they outscored Galway 2-6 to 1-1 in the final period.

Goals from Tamara O’Connor, Rachel Kearns and Sinead Walsh helped Mayo secure top honours as Danielle Caldwell starred. Mayo kicked 1-4 without reply from the 43rd to the 52nd minutes in what was the defining period of the game.

The opening stages saw Mayo start in whirlwind fashion. They kicked 1-3 without reply in the opening six minutes, with Tamara O’Connor palming to the net as she finished off a flowing team move.

Galway were struggling from their own kick-out in the early stages but when they beat the Mayo press, Tracey Leonard kicked a settling score. Mayo looked razor sharp up front as Lisa Cafferky helped Mayo into a five-point lead after 11 minutes.

Galway then showed impressive composure as they slotted 1-4 without reply. Kate Slevin cut out a short Mayo kick-out before lobbing Laura Brennan in the Mayo goal with an astute finish.

Charlotte Cooney moved Galway in front for the first time in the contest on 18 minutes. Even though Deirdre Doherty slotted two frees for Mayo, Leonard and Ailbhe Davoren efforts helped Galway lead 1-8 to 1-7 at half-time.

The second period saw Mayo start on the front foot as Sinéad Cafferky curled over two excellent scores to help the eventual winners regain the lead. Galway showed their mettle as they battled back in front. Leanne Coen showed her persistence when she finished low to the net after being denied by Laura Brennan and a cohort of Mayo defenders.

TERRIFIC

Mayo refused to panic, though, as 1-4 without reply saw them regain control of the contest.

Substitute Shauna Howley kicked two frees before fellow replacement Shauna Howley arrowed over. Walsh made a terrific impact off the bench as she was fouled inside the square as Kearns dispatched the penalty to the net.

A Roisin Leonard free stopped the rot but Walsh’s late goal ensured Mayo would not be caught. And so, with that, the number one objective for the year was achieved.

Next up was the All-Ireland series. Mayo were grouped with Laois and Armagh. After beating Laois, Mayo travelled to Armagh and lost by the narrowest of margins. It left them runners-up in the group, which meant they would have an away quarterfinal encounter.

When the draw was made, Mayo received an away game against their arch rivals in Pearse Stadium. Many felt Galway, who had beaten both Cork and Tipperary in their group, had improved greatly from the Connacht final.

Despite Galway trying to use their home advantage against Mayo, they failed to stop Moyles' side in what was a very close encounter. While there was just a point between in the end, there was no denying Mayo were the better team and deserved to advance to the All-Ireland semi-final.

In the semi-final, Mayo faced hot favourites Kerry. The Connacht champions lost this game in the opening half, where they just never got going.

Kerry built up a nine-point half-time lead to leave Mayo with little chance of a revival, scoring 1-7 without response in a devastating nine-minute spell as they took a 1-10 to 0-4 lead at the interval.

Mayo responded much better in the second half as they hit 1-6 while chasing the game. Substitute Deirdre Doherty gave Mayo a glimmer of home when she struck the net midway through the second half within a minute of her introduction, and they got to within four the lead.

However, despite their best efforts, Kerry were able to keep the scoreboard ticking and ended up five-point winners.

Overall, it was a very good year for the county senior team. They will have gained massive experience, which is sure to stand to them as they plot and plan the year ahead. If 2022 is anything to go by, we should see Mayo challenging for more honours this coming year.

At underage level, the highlight of the year was Mayo's 2-9 to 0-7 victory over Cork in the All-Ireland LGFA Platinum final – the Green and Red's first success at this level in 29 years.