Mayo LGFA to compete in inaugural Under 20 All-Ireland series

Mayo LGFA are preparing to compete in the inaugural Under 20 All-Ireland series this summer, marking an important new chapter in the development pathway for young players across the country.

Mayo’s group features four other counties - Cork, Dublin, Meath and Galway – competing in a round-robin group stage. The county that finishes top of the table will progress directly to the All-Ireland final, which is scheduled for July 11.

The second finalist will emerge from the Ulster Championship, which will be contested by Cavan, Donegal, Down, Fermanagh, Monaghan and Tyrone.

Mayo will begin their campaign with a challenging away fixture against Dublin on Saturday, May 2. A week later, they return to home soil to face Galway on Saturday, May 9, before travelling to take on Meath on Saturday, May 23.

After a short mid-season break to accommodate the Leaving Certificate examinations, Mayo will conclude their group stage fixtures with a home game against Cork on Saturday, June 27.

Ruadhraí O'Hara will manage the Under 20 side in their maiden season, supported by an impressive backroom team that includes Cormac Reape, Sinéad Halligan and Pat Doocey. The experienced management group will guide the squad as they take part in this historic first campaign at the grade.

With only the top team in the standings earning a place in the decider, every match will carry significant weight as the counties compete for the opportunity to contest the first-ever Under 20 All-Ireland final.

The introduction of the Under 20 grade represents a significant step forward for ladies' Gaelic football, providing a vital bridge between minor and senior level while offering emerging players a new platform to develop and compete at the highest level.

For Mayo, the series offers an exciting opportunity to test themselves against some of the strongest emerging teams in the country as they aim to secure a place in the historic final in July.

Meanwhile, there will be a strong Mayo flavour in this year’s AIG O’Connor Cup final as six players from the county are set to feature when DCU Dóchas Éireann take on TU Dublin in Saturday’s decider at DCU.

The prestigious third-level title will have three Mayo players on each side, ensuring the county will be represented on whichever team lifts the cup.

TU Dublin, who are contesting their first ever O’Connor Cup final, include a trio of Mayo footballers in their ranks. Sherin El Massry (Westport), Gráinne Gavin (Louisburgh) and Ava Lambert (Westport) have all played in their run to the decider after they overcame UCC in the semi-final.

Standing in their way is a DCU Dóchas Éireann side chasing history. The Dublin college are aiming to secure a fourth successive O’Connor Cup title having already established themselves as the dominant force in third-level ladies' football in recent seasons.

DCU’s Mayo contingent is equally impressive, with Ciara Durkan (Knockmore), Jenna Mortimer (Hollymount) and Finnuala McLaughlin (Westport) all part of the squad looking to extend the college’s remarkable run.

The final forms part of a packed HEC Championship finals weekend, with seven titles set to be decided across Friday and Saturday at the DCU campus. DCU will be heavily involved across the programme, contesting several finals, including the Lynch Cup and Giles Cup.

For Mayo supporters, however, attention will firmly centre on the O’Connor Cup showdown, where the county’s representatives will be spread across both sides in what promises to be an intriguing Dublin derby.

With six Mayo players hoping to leave the capital with the famous trophy, the county’s influence will undoubtedly be felt when the O’Connor Cup champions are crowned on Saturday afternoon. The final will be streamed live on the Spórt TG4 YouTube channel.