Narrow defeat for Mayo in Connacht LGFA minor final

Mayo suffered a narrow 1-12 to 1-11 defeat at the hands of Roscommon in the Connacht LGFA Minor A Championship final, played at Tuam Stadium.

Roscommon blitzed Mayo during the opening exchanges of the first half and four points on the spin from Laura Glennon (two), Aoife Creevy and Georgia Gerrity helped muster a 0-4 to no score advantage.

To their credit, Mayo didn’t panic and gradually began to win some possession, which resulted in white-flagged efforts from Saerlaith Dillon (two), Kasey Ruane and Aoife Meaney, which left the sides level at 0-4 apiece after 11 minutes.

The game was on an even keel but following a point from Roscommon’s Shauna McGrath, the Primrose and Blue netted a goal on 20 minutes. Gerrity’s skyscraper attempt at a point dropped short and fell to the poaching Viviene Gannon, who didn’t need a second invitation to find the back of the net.

Mayo ended the half in a positive fashion courtesy of a point from the industrious Emily Duffy, but Roscommon led 1-7 to 0-7 during the half-time musings.

Roscommon almost fashioned a second goal on 41 minutes yet somehow Mayo’s Grace Bailey made a last-ditch block.

Mayo upped the tempo and a gem of a point from Kate Byrne was the prelude to the same player netting a goal on 14 minutes. Aoibhinn McNamara’s attempt at a point fell kindly to Byrne and she bundled the ball home from close range.

Two minutes later, Duffy’s marvellous point helped shunt Mayo into the lead for the first time in the contest, 1-9 to 1-8.

However, Roscommon substitute Amy Rogers had an immediate impact on the game, kicking two efforts over the bar which helped regain a slender 1-11 to 1-10 lead for Roscommon before Mayo’s Duffy levelled matters once again on 58 minutes.

It appeared that this enthralling encounter was destined for extra time but Roscommon’s Gerrity had other ideas, her sublime long-range point two minutes into injury time sealing the deal for the Primrose and Blue.