Mayo are Gaynor Plate champions
THE Mayo Under 14 girls capped an unbelievable week at the Gaynor Cup in University Limerick by pipping Waterford in an epic game to be crowned Plate champions this afternoon.
Level at 1-1 after extra-time, it took a penalty shoot-out to decide it, with Mayo 'keeper Aoife Meaney saving and scoring to seal the title.
As has been their habit all week, the Mayo girls started really brightly and Kasey Ruane had their first shot on five minutes. A challenge on Emma Higgins in the box was given the okay by match officials despite it being of the robust variety.
Aoife Meaney was called into action, making a smart save on 12 minutes, and she repeated that three minutes later. Thirteen proved unlucky on the clock though as Waterford took the lead following a very rare defensive lapse by Mayo.
Against the wind and a goal down, the Mayo girls had to dig deep into their reserves of character and resilience. Centre-backs Aoife Collins and Aine Monaghan stood brave and tall in the central area and full-backs Amy Doherty and Kate Byrne stood up to the raids up each flank.
Roise Burke and Amy Murphy continued to supply good ball to our forward line and Ruane went close again on 17 minutes. Waterford went close from a well worked corner on twenty minutes while Meaney was called into action a minute later.
Aoibhin McGarry won a free wide on Mayo's right and from the resulting free Murphy's typical effort bounced off the top of the crossbar.
Mayo reached the half-time whistle with no further damage and with the wind to come felt very confident in turning the game around.
Ruane had a fine run and cross which drifted just wide on 32 minutes while Ursula Shaughnessy escaped the close attentions of both CBs to arrow a shot desperately close five minutes later.
Mayo continued to be patient and to probe, always conscious of the wind over carrying their forward passes. Murphy provided a fine piece of trickery on the edge of the box and fired off a shot which the 'keeper gathered at the second attempt.
Meaney had to sprint out of her box to clear the danger from the onrushing forward before Mayo tied the game up with 9 minutes remaining. Amy Murphy fired in a shot that was probably one of her lesser efforts all day but the ball still found the back of the net to maintain her excellent scoring record on these grounds. Murphy had a chance to win it 3 minutes from time after good approach play by Cliodhna Dowling but the Waterford 'keeper again made a fine save.
Into the first period of ten minutes extra time Mayo were once more against the breeze but dealt with it admirably, with Murphy again testing the home keeper's reflexes. Alana Kelly and Cara Culkin were sprung from the bench now as Mayo prepared for the second half of extra time.
Waterford continued to pose a serious threat up their left and they were just wide on 72 minutes. Shaughnessy hit back for Mayo a minute later with the 'keeper again in top form before an eagle eyed Referee Assistant spotted a Waterford attacker's take on the 'hand of God' goal. The last few minutes resolved nothing and we had reached 80 minutes game time on the Mayo girls' sixth game in 5 days and penalties were required.
For the first time in three attempts on the day captain Aoife Collins won the toss (surely an omen here!) and Waterford were up first to take their penalties.
Unbelievably, after 5 spot-kicks each the teams had a new 1-1 scoreline with Amy Murphy having found the net, Aoife Meaney saving three and the Waterford 'keeper saving two.
Into sudden death Meaney saved, Mayo missed, Meaney saved and then turned from gamekeeper to poacher as she lined up Mayo's seventh spot-kick. Those who have had this goalkeeping phenomenon at Mayo since 2019 never for one moment doubted that she would score and emphatically score she did to give Mayo girls their third Gaynor national title in three years. Aoife Meaney, Amy Doherty and Aoife Collins have been part of all three titles.
Manager of this squad Michael Collins pointed out the huge operation behind this success: The Mayo Schoolboys Girls League gives the girls equal footing to the boys (as it absolutely should be) and Pat Lambe, Tom Mullin, Dave Breen and others have our back at all times. Head of Delegation John Flanagan always ensures a smooth operation is had in UL from accommodation issues, kits, attending meetings, etc. All of the stuff that allows the coaches to get on with the team.
Michael then turned to the coaching staff at his disposal. Emma Gibbons has spent almost as much time with this squad as Michael and continues to develop really well as an outstanding Coach. Ditto with Jessica Lambe and Kian Flanagan did some really good work with our goalkeepers in Limerick. Sinead Mulhern came to Limerick as an auxiliary Coach and impressed everyone with her ability. Emma, Jessica and Sinead also filled the hugely important role of 'house moms' by each being stationed in a house with the girls for their duration.
To Bertie Dowling, Michael extended a huge depth of gratitude for fulfilling (not for the first time) the crucial role of physio. Michael has spent many good days with Mayo teams in tandem with Kevin Sheeran and it was a real boost for management and players to see Kevin present for the girls' final two games. We all look forward to the day when Kevin returns to the set-up in some capacity. Aisling Reilly was also instrumental in getting some late worrying injuries cleared up and they remained cleared up for the duration of the tournament. FAI DO Nigel Naughton has kindly helped out at times and Michael always likes his squads to hear different voices at times. Big thank you to anyone else inadvertently left out who helped in any way.
He also thanked the local press for their coverage - thank you Michael in return for the updates.