U16 ladies defeat Mayo to reach All-Ireland 'A' final
All-Ireland Ladies football U16 'A' semi-final
Cavan 3-10
Mayo 1-10
Aideen Coyle
Ulster champions Cavan took on the Connacht champions Mayo in this year’s All Ireland semi-final last Wednesday in St. Faithleach’s GAA, Roscommon. Cavan went into the game at full strength, lining out the same as they did eight weeks previous in the Ulster final against Monaghan.
First half goals from forwards Clodagh Clarke and Ella Sheridan helped Cavan into a four-point lead at halftime. And after the break, Kate Fegan raised another green flag as Mick Flynn’s Cavan got the better of Mayo in a thrilling encounter.
Mayo finished the game strongest but found it difficult to break down a well organised, tenacious Cavan backline. Cavan excelled all over the field, with Kingscourt’s Mia Lynch scoring five points for the Ulster champions.
Cavan started the game at a blistering speed scoring 1-01 inside the opening three minutes. The opening score came from vice-captain Clarke who buried the ball to the roof of the Mayo net after a superb run by Kate Fegan. The Mullahoran girl then followed this up moments later with a point. Mayo made use of their opening attack in the seventh minute as the lively Christina McEvilly was fouled with the subsequent free converted by Kayla Doherty.
Trailing by three Mayo’s McEvilly found herself through on goal but her shot rebounded off the crossbar much to the relief of the Cavan backline. Another Doherty free was cancelled out by an excellent point from Clarke to keep three between the sides. Midway through the half Mayo had their second chance at goal but a brilliant tackle from the outstanding full-back Cora McDonnell cut out any danger.
Cavan were undoubtedly playing the better football but mistakes and missed chances proved costly as Mayo hit three on the bounce to bring the sides level with 20 minutes played in the contest, the points coming from midfielder Larissa Kelly and Doherty (2).
However, the Breffni girls pushed on by the outstanding half back line of captain Katie Mai Reilly, Ailbhe Kennedy and Caitlin Crowe finished out the half strongest to take a four-point lead at the break.
Ella Sheridan intercepted a loose pass in the Mayo backline and made no mistake in front of goal placing the ball into the bottom corner of the net to regain Cavan’s goal advantage.
At the other end another crucial tackle from Kristina Grigorenko set defence into attack as Emilia Mussi played a pass into the excellent Clarke for her second point of the game. Kelly pointed a second for Mayo but the final score of the half went to Mia Lynch after excellent build up play from Katie O’Meara and hardworking midfielder Lauren Miney to leave Cavan ahead 2-04 to 0-06 at the break.
Mayo started the second half brightest and opened the scoring in seconds with Kate Byrne pointing to leave a goal between the sides once again. Mayo pressed for the equaliser but were denied by two top drawer blocks from McDonnell and Crowe. Cavan introduced Holly McPhillips for O’Meara and the Shercock forward made an instant impact winning a free which was pointed by Lynch.
Cavan found their rhythm and showed just why they were comprehensive Ulster champions scoring a further 1-04 without reply to go into an eleven-point lead with 18 minutes played in the tie. Fegan pointed her second of the game as Cavan began to pile the pressure on the Mayo kickout. They reaped the rewards of this as Lynch pointed a double seconds apart to boost Cavan into a seven point lead. With 13 minutes played Mullahoran clubmates Mussi and Fegan combined as the midfielders powerful run set up Fegan for her side’s third goal of the game to put daylight between the sides.
Lauren Miney made another vital interception to set up Lynch for her fifth score of the game as Cavan continued to control the contest. However, the Connaught champions fought to the end and 1-03 in quick succession left for a nervy finish with goalkeeper Fainche Higgins pulling off two outstanding saves.
Trailing by eleven, Doherty registered her fifth point of the game before McEvilly hit the net moments after being denied by Higgins. Mayo substitute Ashleagh Salmon made a direct impact with two well taken points on the bounce to reduce the deficit to five points. Cavan found themselves pinned into their backline but never panicked. Full forward Clarke found herself in the Cavan backline and it was her excellent tackle on Mayo danger woman Doherty that resulted in the final point of the game from Holly McPhillips.
Cavan have now booked their place in the final against last year’s runners-up Cork on the July 16. Cork booked their spot in the final after a 1-13 to 3-05 win over reigning champions Dublin on Thursday. Cavan will set out to win the county's second ever U16 All Ireland title having previously claimed the title in 1977.
Cavan: Fainche Higgins, Ciara Hegarty, Cora McDonnell, Kristina Grigorenko, Ailbhe Kennedy, Katie Mai Reilly (C), Caitlin Crowe, Emilia Mussi, Lauren Miney, Ruby Gilmartin, Ella Sheridan (1-00), Kate Fegan (1-02), Mia Lynch (0-05, 1f), Clodagh Clarke (1-02), Katie O’Meara
Subs: Holly McPhillips (0-01) for K. O’Meara, Kaitlyn Cahill for C. Hegarty, Niamh McCaffrey for R. Gilmartin, Aoibhinn Galligan for L. Miney
Mayo: Naoise Heffernan, Emma Higgins, Caoilfhionn Tighe, Cliona Cullen, Isobel McPhillips, Kate Brennan (C), Aoife Meaney, Shauna Heneghan, Larissa Kelly (0-02), Kate Byrne (0-01), Kayla Doherty (0-05, 3f), Christina McEvilly (1-00), Sarah Dempsey, Grace McDonnell, Maura Hughes
Subs: Ali Hughes for Aoife Meaney, Rhona Brennan for K. Byrne, Ashleagh Salmon (0-02) for S. Dempsey
Referee: Aaron Clogher