Mayo Under 12s win Gaynor Cup

MAYO Under 12s capped off a fantastic day of football win a 1-nil win over a gallant South Tipperary side to win the Gaynor Cup at University of Limerick this evening.

Again, South Tipp had the edge in the physicality stakes but Mayo's cuteness, work rate and, above all, desire to win shone through.

Management went with pretty much the same team and formation, only with Emily Jennings moving into Mallaidh Lavelle's position and Aoife Collins starting at right back.

Mayo made a solid start with Kayla Doherty and the excellent Emma Duffy to the fore. Mayo were playing into a stiff breeze but that didn't seem to faze the girls.

The only goal of the game came after eight minutes and from a familiar source when Aoife Meaney hit another of what is becoming her trademark goal kicks, again finding Doherty, and she was on song to hit the net. The Kilmurry star was in great form today, scoring six of Mayo's seven goals - definitely a star of the future.

Mayo saw out the remainder of the half with Maura Hughes coming on for Horkan just before the break.

The second half was a mixture of gritty determination and a will to win, with the Mayo girls professionally seeing out the half, dominating large periods of the game and snuffing out any attacks, with Meaney rarely tested and her defensive shield of Isobel Phillips and Emily Vahey particularly brilliant all day.

All the girls got a run out in the second half with the player that came on as good as the girl that came off.

Cue the celebrations at the end for a history-making team, winning the Gaynor Cup at Under 12 level for the county's first time.

The management team of Kevin Sheeran, Micheal Collins, Jessica Lambe and Melissa Devaney are extremely proud of the squad who were a joy to work with all year.

Squad: Aoife Meaney, Aoife Collins, Roisin Horkan, Isobel Phillips, Emily Vahey, Emily Jennings, Emma Duffy, Sarah Ruddy, Kayla Doherty, Rebecca Moran, Hazel Harrington, Blaithin Brennan, Grace McHale, Mallaidh Lavelle, Maura Hughes, Ashleagh Salmon.

 

Mayo Under 15s

The Mayo Under 15s were defeated in their Bowl semi-final Saturday afternoon by NESCL, 2 -1.

Alison Langdon Long got the Mayo goal.

They now play Waterford on Sunday morning to determine their final placing.