Senior status secured as Mayo see off Leitrim

The Mayo LGFA senior team will be playing senior championship football next season having secured their status with a 2-14 to 0-13 victory over Leitrim at Kilcoyne Park, Tubbercurry.

Following the victory, Mayo LGFA announced that manager Liam McHale has stepped down after two years in charge.

The statement reads: “McHale, a sporting icon in Co. Mayo, and GAA and basketball legend beloved by the Gaelic football family, crossed codes in late 2023 when he assumed the managerial role with Mayo LGFA.

“The 2025 season presented significant challenges for Mayo, with the team finishing bottom of the National Football League (Division 1) and suffering relegation to Division 2. However, the season ended positively with Mayo securing a crucial victory over Leitrim to retain senior championship status for 2026 – ensuring the county's continued participation in the top tier of ladies football.

“Any year in the top flight of LGFA is challenging. This has been a season of huge transition for Mayo ladies' football. Mayo LGFA faced unprecedented squad changes, with significant player departures. We have seen great young talent emerging and we are immensely proud of the young players who stepped up, made their debuts, and showed tremendous character throughout the campaign. Captain Danielle Caldwell deserves special mention for her leadership during a challenging period of considerable change."

The statement continued: “The commitment required at senior inter-county level is immense – not just from players, managers, coaches, and the extended managerial team, but from their families too. We are grateful to Liam and his entire backroom team for their dedication to Mayo ladies' football.

“As Mayo LGFA looks to the future, the retention of senior status provides a strong foundation for continued development. The experience gained by younger players this season, combined with the emergence of new talent, positions the county well for the years ahead. We give our heart felt thanks to all Mayo supporters for their loyalty during a difficult season and look forward to building on today's success together.

“Mayo LGFA extends its sincere gratitude to Liam McHale for his service to LGFA over the past two years, his lifetime of service to the Co. Mayo, and we wish him every success in his future endeavours.”

FINE START

Leitrim made a fine start to the relegation playoff, landing the first two scores courtesy of Muireann Devaney and Michelle Guckian (free).

However, Mayo were in command of proceedings after 12 minutes following points from Annie Gough and Sinead Walsh before the latter found the back of the net and added another point for good measure to make it 1-3 to 0-2.

Leitrim's Ailbhe Clancy and Mayo's Clodagh Keane swapped scores before Devaney kicked two more points, reducing the gap to two.

Points from Kathryn Sullivan and Walsh sandwiched a Leah Fox effort for Leitrim, leaving Mayo ahead by three (1-6 to 0-6) at the break.

The gap was still three after 10 minutes of the second half after the sides scored three points each, Ailbhe Clancy, Leah Fox and Laura O'Dowd on target for Leitrim as Ava McDonnell, Hannah Reape and Walsh (free) found the range for Mayo.

Clodagh Keane won a penalty for Mayo but, not for the first time in the game, goalkeeper Michelle Guckian proved to be Leitrim's hero, denying Gough from the spot.

Devaney then reduced the gap but Mayo hit a purple patch, scoring four points without reply through Erin Murray (two), McDonnell and Walsh (free), leaving them with a healthy lead going into the final 10 minutes.

The Green and Red made sure of the win when McDonnell finished off an incisive move past Guckian into the Leitrim net. It guaranteed Mayo senior football again in 2026 and sent Leitrim into the relegation final against Donegal next weekend.

Mayo: J. Gawalkiewicz; L. Wallace, N. O’Malley, C. Durkin; D. Caldwell, E. Brennan, S. El Massry; H. Reape (0-1), S. Lally; L. Hanley, S. Walsh (1-5, 3f), A. Geraghty; A. Gough (0-1), C. Keane (0-1), K. Sullivan (0-1).

Subs used: E. Murray (0-3), A. McDonnell (1-2), C. Whyte, N. Mooney, L. Keane.

Leitrim: M. Guckian (0-1f); J. Maye, C. Tyrrell, E. Quigley; D. Beirne, C. Owens, R. McIntyre; N. Tighe, A. Quinn; M. Devaney (0-4), V. Egan, A. Clancy (0-5, 1f, 1p); L. Fox (0-2), S. Quinn, L. O’Dowd (0-1).

Sub used: C. Dolan.

Referee: Gus Chapman (Sligo).