Mayo Ladies qualify for All-Ireland quarter final

The Mayo Ladies secured their place in the All-Ireland senior championship quarter finals after recording a 1-15 to 2-6 victory away to Donegal.

This game was played at Glenfin GAA Club, and with glorious summer sunshine and a pristine pitch, an entertaining contest unfolded.

Mayo began brightly, and points from Maria Reilly and Aoife Staunton helped settle Diana O’Hora’s charges into the game.

Donegal notched their first score of the contest on six minutes when Susanne White forced the umpire to reach for the white flag.

Mayo scored probably the point of the half on nine minutes, when a patient attacking foray ended with Aoife Staunton guiding over a peach of a score.

Everything seemed to be going to plan for the visitors, however, Donegal pounced for a goal on 24 minutes. A sweeping counteroffensive move culminated in a scoring opportunity for Abbie McGranaghan and the latter duly palmed the ball to the back of the net.

Yet Mayo finished the half strongly and two inch-perfect frees from Lisa Cafferky and Aoife Staunton helped glean a 0-8 to 1-1 half-time advantage for the green and red.

The opening moments of the second half were similar to the start of the first half, with Mayo dominating possession and acquiring two points from Aoife Staunton (free) and Lisa Cafferkey, also from the placed ball.

Mayo played against the wind during the second half; however, this didn’t hamper the busy Sinead Cafferky from guiding over a sublime point from distance on 45 minutes.

Despite trailing by six points (0-12 to 1-3), the yellow and gold upped the tempo considerably and singles from White (two, one free) and Mia Bennett, saw the pendulum swing in the host’s favour.

The Donegal late rally received a major boost when White plundered a three-pointer to leave just a point separating the sides, 0-13 to 2-6.

However, Mayo held their nerve and showed great character courtesy of Lisa Cafferky’s chipped goal which helped secure the spoils for the green and red.

During the dying embers of the game, Donegal were reduced to 14 players after Katie Dowds received a yellow card and was sin binned.

Mayo can take plenty of positives from this display as they now prepare for an All-Ireland quarter final.