Action from the All-Ireland Under 14 Girls Platinum final between Mayo and Cork at McDonagh Park in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Photo: Michael P. Ryan | Sportsfile

Mayo girls secure All-Ireland Platinum title with fantastic display

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Mayo captured the 2023 All-Ireland LGFA Under 14 Platinum title with a fantastic 2-9 to 0-7 victory over Cork in McDonagh Park, Nenagh, this afternoon.

Two first-half goals from Hollymount's Emma Stagg proved decisive as Mayo bridged a 29-year gap to win the elite Under 14 title at national level.

With three points to add to her two goals, Stagg was a huge thorn in the Cork defence as Mayo enjoyed a big advantage at the break, leading 2-7 to 0-3.

Cork, whose points were scored by Lily Foskin, Sorcha O’Rourke and Róisín Ní Liatháin, might not have been so far adrift at the interval but for two fine saves by Mayo goalkeeper Méabh Lavin.

As well as Stagg, Mayo had first-half points scored by Kate O’Donnell, Chloe Foley and Katie Hughes.

Mayo only scored two points in the second half – Stagg with one early on and Siofra McGuinnes with the final effort of the game – but Cork were unable to break through a resolute Green and Red rearguard, their four second-half points coming from Tamara Moynihan (two, one free) and Caoimhe Foley (two).

Mayo were full value for their win, however, and they celebrated with gusto at the final whistle.

Mayo: M. Lavin; C. Walsh, I. Basquille, S. Tiernan; E. Duffy, L. McNamara, S. McGuinness (0-1); A. Ferguson, G. Bailey; K. Hughes (0-2), E. Stagg (2-4), K. O'Donnell (0-1); C. Fahey (0-1), M. McLoughlin, A. McNamara.

Subs: A. Doherty, C. Breslin, C. Brennan, L. Cusack, A. McHugh, A. Hanly, M. McDonnell, M. Folan, A. Gill, E. Moran, R. Kelly, L. McDonnell, S. Staunton, M. Cichopek, E. Sheridan, M. Gibbons, E. Higgins, N. Walsh.

Cork: O. McGrath; A. Kelleher, D. O’Flaherty, M. Buckley; H. Sweeney, Ś. Walsh, H. O’Shea; H. Deasy, L. Foskin (0-1); C. O’Regan, A. Coughlan, S. O’Rourke (0-1); R. Ní Liatháin (0-1), T. Moynihan (0-2f), R. O’Mahony.

Subs: M. Ní Luaniagh, E. Motherway, S. Galvin, K. Hanrahan, G. O’Sullivan, C. Harte, A. McCarthy, C. Foley (0-2), O. Higgins, F. O’Connell, L. Buckley McKernan, K. Crowley, E. Lee, C. O’Regan, S, Duggan.

Referee: P. McCaughey (Westmeath).

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