Superb start by Mayo women in Angela Hearst Inter-League Cup
THE Mayo Women’s League made an impressive start to their Angela Hearst Cup campaign as they defeated a strong Eastern League outfit at CMS Park, Knock, on Sunday afternoon.
Mayo played with plenty of vim and vigour during this tie and the spine of their team produced a resolute display, with Lauren Cusack, Michelle Ruane, Amy Dowling, Stacey Freyne, Katie Heaney and Róisín Horkan very effective over the 90 minutes.
Despite the April showers, the pitch was in good condition and this led to a fast-paced game between two attack-minded teams.
The visitors' game plan suffered a setback though when, towards the end of the opening quarter, Megan Seaton was forced off through injury.
Mayo seemed to settle quickly into the game and snatched the lead after 17 minutes. The lively Katie Heaney delivered an inch-perfect cross from the left wing which was met by Róisín Horkan and her goal-bound header was deftly guided home by the poaching Melissa Devaney.
The Eastern League regrouped and very nearly pinched the equaliser on 23 minutes, but Asia Nicole Avramovic’s cross-cum-shot was safely gathered by the unperturbed Lauren Cusack.
The Metropolitans continued to pepper the Mayo goal, with Cusack producing a fine tip over save to deny Adriana Balmaseda Burgos’ swerving strike.
Heaney almost added a second goal for Mayo on 29 minutes but the Eastern League’s Maria Ryan produced a fine save and safely gathered possession at the second attempt.
Following the half-time break, Mayo made a blistering start to the new half and bolstered their lead on 52 minutes. Heaney’s in-swinging corner kick found Devaney and she in turn set-up Stacey Freyne, who swept home a smashing finish.
Manulla stalwart Freyne continued to battle gamely for the Mayo cause and almost added a third for the hosts on 65 minutes. However, her snap-shot was brilliantly saved by Ryan.
Heaney continued to pose problems for the Eastern League backline and she almost added the insurance goal for her team on 66 minutes. Her attempted delicate finish trickled agonisingly wide, however.
Mayo could have been out of sight on 72 minutes when Heaney’s pinging cross found the poaching Horkan but the latter’s header drifted inches wide.
The Eastern League regrouped and the introduction of Jasmine Westbrooks added an extra attacking outlet to their game plan.
The Dublin-based outfit played some inventive football towards the end of the game, and they managed to peg a goal back on 73 minutes. Westbrooks won possession and her tidy pass set up Balmaseda Burgos, who rustled the back of the net to spark celebrations on the away bench.
After that the Eastern League bombarded the hosts' goal. During this period of play the visitors saw an effort cleared off the goal line by Mayo’s Anna McDonnell.
In the end, a resilient Mayo held on for the victory and they will take plenty of positives from this great team performance ahead of their next game, which is away to the Donegal Women’s League on May 24.
PROUD
After the game, Mayo manager Oliver King said that he was proud of Mayo’s efforts on the day.
He elaborated: “We were up against a very good Eastern League team today and they gave us a serious battle. The strong, gusty wind made playing conditions difficult for both sides.
“Our team played the way we asked them to, and they were brilliant over the 90 minutes, and we as a management team are very proud of their efforts.”
King and his management team promised to leave no stone unturned for the tricky away assignment against next month.
“We will have to get a few training sessions under our belt in preparation for that game. A lot of our players have been away in college, and we will have to prepare for this game accordingly.
“Even considering the travelling – it is a three-hour journey to Donegal, and that can affect players as well – we will have to approach that game from a few different angles, but we will be prepared for that match.”
Mayo League: L. Cusack, L. Conway, A. McDonnell, A. Dowling, M. Ruane, S. Freyne, M. Devaney, S. Loughney, R. Horkan, B. Roache, K. Heaney.
Subs used: S. Kilcawley, A. Dunleavy, C. Gibbons, A. Monaghan.
Eastern League: M. Ryan, A. N. Avramovic, K. Duffy, M. Sewerynska, H. Rutherford, L. Chambers, M. Seaton, A. Balmaseda Burgos, S. Reilly, N. Rutherford, A. O’Hara.
Subs used: M. Ismael, J. Westbrooks.
Ref: P. Gleeson O’Brien.
*Star rating: Amy Dowling (Mayo League)...produced a resolute display at centre-back and made some vital and timely interventions throughout the joust.