Mayo end Gaynor Cup run with a win on penalties
By Michael Collins
MAYO had to go to penalties to see off Wexford and seal a very respectable fifth place overall at the Gaynor Cup tournament in Limerick this evening.
Kicking off at 6 p.m. on pitch 4, Mayo had wind advantage but Wexford had the first chance, going wide on two minutes. Mayo immediately won a corner and Caoimhe O'Donnell caused the 'keeper a lot of bother with it but she scrambled it clear from under her crossbar.
Wexford had two very pacy forwards who were always looking to seize on the counter attack but Mayo's defence was unflinching.
A long-range O'Donnell free was held capably by the 'keeper and she again claimed a corner taken by O'Donnell. O'Donnell then played in Emily Coleman but her shot was well saved. Great defending from the front by O'Donnell saw her win the ball back only to be denied by the 'keeper, with Coleman's rebound meeting the same fate.
Excellent tucking in by Saoirse McGing averted danger to the Mayo goal while Anna Burton went on a great run up the left but ran out of space.
Wexford went close themselves with a couple of frees before another O'Donnell corner had no takers. O'Donnell then forced the 'keeper to tip over the bar a vicious dipping free and when she delivered the corner, Sive Flanagan headed over.
Wexford had a goal chalked off for offside on the stroke of the half time whistle.
The second half opened with a thundering Anna Meaney tackle and in her throw-ins she really channeled her inner Ian Hutchinson (go Google!). Wexford had more of the play now aided by the breeze and Mayo were lucky when Wexford spurned a one on one with 'keeper McGreal, with the ball drifting over the bar.
Ava Mitchell was denied by the 'keeper as both teams chased that elusive goal.
Mayo had a huge let off four minutes from time when a header from a Wexford free hit the post and the rebound was put wide.
Full time and scoreless and, as this was Mayo's last match, penalties were decreed in case of a tie later on (Wexford will play Longford tomorrow).
Saoirse Reynolds, Caoimhe Kitching and Anna Burton all scored for Mayo while Aoibheann McGreal made three brilliant stops to seal the victory 3-2 on penalties. My understanding at the time of writing is that Mayo are now fifth.
Mayo: A. McGreal, S. McGing, A. Meaney, G. Mulroy, S. Flanagan, A. Mitchell, S. Reynolds, K. Flynn, E. Coleman (c), C. O'Donnell, A. Burton, L. McDermott, C. Kitching.
Final thoughts.
Another year, another Gaynor Cup where the Mayo girls (again) prove that they can compete with the very best. So let's take a moment and acknowledge the wonderful management team of John Flanagan, John Hennelly, Susanne Cunnane (not in pic), Martin McGreal, Emma Gibbons, Melissa Devaney, Amy Dunleavy and Zoe Flanagan. As well as spending numerous hours training these girls since last autumn, these people also give up five days of their annual leave to ensure our girls can compete. Please remember this at all times and thanks to the Mayo Schoolboys/Girls League for their work in the female game. Whoever inherits these girls in future years need to be aware of the level that they have been accustomed to playing at while with the Mayo Schoolboys League.