Mayo overcome Monaghan in dramatic circumstances

Mayo 0-12

Monaghan 0-12

AFT

(Mayo wins 1-0 on free kicks)

By Aiden Henry

MAYO and Monaghan failed to be separated at full time and extra time before this championship encounter played in Ballinamore, Leitrim, was decided by free kicks. Both sides had to take five free kicks from the 30-metre line. In the end it was Mayo’s Shauna Howley was the only player to put the game between the posts which gave Mayo the victory.

This win for Mayo almost guarantees Michael Moyles charges a place in the All-Ireland quarterfinals despite having to play their final group which will be against Armagh next weekend.

Mayo started in great fashion and Shauna Howley, Rachel Kearns and Sarah Rowe put them three in front after just eight minutes. But once Monaghan settled into the game, they hit back with a succession of points from placekicker Ellen McCarron. The Monaghan centre forward continued to keep her side in the same and ended the half with five points.

A second point from Kearns and two from play from Grace Kelly left them sharing the spoils with their opponents at the interval, 0-6 each.

In the second half both defences came out on top. Such was their outstanding defending that both teams only managed four points each with Kearns (two) and Howley and Grace Kelly the Mayo scorers. However, it was Mayo had the best goal chances where Sarah Rowe and Kearns unlucky not to find the net. But in the end, they had to settle for extra-time.

In the first period of extra time Mayo outscored their opponents by two points to one. Both Mayo scores came from Shauna Howley, a free and a delightful effort from play.

In the second period of extra time there was only one score – a Monaghan point from a free in the final minute which left the sides level at the final whistle and left a series of 30 metre free kicks to decide the outcome.

Mayo: A. Tarpey, S. Lally, C. McManamon, E. Brennan, T. O’Connor, C. Whyte, S. Larkin, C. Needham, S. Cafferky, S. Rowe (0-1), R. Kearns (0-4), M. McHale, G. Kelly (0-3), S. Howley (0-4), T. Needham.

Subs used: F. McHale, K. Sullivan, F. Doherty, L. Cafferky, M. Corbett, A. Geraghty,

Monaghan: E. Corrigan, R. McGuigan, N. Fahy, A. McAnespie, R. Courtney, J. Duffy, E. Traynor, C. Courtney, M. Atkinson, L. McEnaney, E. McCarron (0-10), L. Garland (0-1), C. Treanor, C. McAnespie (0-1). Jones.

Subs used: S. Coyle, M. Monaghan, A. Garland, K. McGuire, J. McQuillian, N. Brennan, L. McEneaney,

Referee: S. Curley (Galway).