Win puts Mayo Under 12s in good position at Gaynor Cup

THE Mayo Under 12 girls bounced back after conceding a late equaliser to Galway with a dominant performance against a physical NECSL side in the Gaynor Cup tournament in UL this afternoon.

The opening 10 minutes were even enough fare, with Mayo finding it hard to combat the physical nature of their opponents. It took a long ball from a goal kick from 'keeper Aoife Meaney whose precise kick landed perfectly on Kayla Doherty's foot and she slotted home.

Three minutes later it was a carbon copy with the same two players combining and this time Doherty finished with her left foot.

Mayo were dominating all over the pitch now, with Isobel Phillips and the two Emilys very solid at the back. The same midfield trio of Sarah Ruddy, Emma Duffy and Mallaidh Lavelle put in a solid shift in midfield and Roisin Horkan ran the line really well up front.

Mayo were able to sit back and counter attack now and could have been more ahead having two goals disallowed for tight offside calls.

Mayo introduced Maura Hughes just before half-time.

The second half was more of the same with Mayo really getting their passing game going and another long goal kick from the impressive Meaney found Maura Hughes who slipped in Doherty for her fifth goal of the day and a hat trick.

Mayo weren't finished yet though and Hughes got herself on the scoresheet when Doherty returned the favour and slipped her in with a lovely pass and she took one touch and finished brilliantly.

Mayo emptied the bench with the whole squad getting valuable game time, with Hazel Harrington and Aoife Collins getting their first minutes of the day in defence.

Mayo now play South Tipp at 5.30 p.m. where a win for either team will see them win the Gaynor Cup.

Final score: Mayo 4-0 NECSL.