Mayo pay the penalty as Armagh secure late victory
A controversial last-gasp penalty, converted by Aimee Mackin, left Armagh 2-10 to 1-11 winners over Mayo at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds this afternoon.
The win leaves Armagh with a home quarterfinal of the TG4 LGFA All-Ireland senior championship, while Mayo need to secure a result against Laois next weekend to advance to the last eight.
Mackin had missed a penalty in the first half so there was pressure on her with the last minute effort, but she made no mistake the second time around.
Armagh had fought back from five points down to defeat the Connacht champions in what was a thrilling contest.
After Mackin opened the scoring with a shot from distance, Mayo hit back with points from Sinéad Cafferky and Deirdre Doherty before extending the lead as Shauna Howley played Cafferky in behind the Armagh defence and she found the roof of the net.
Using the wind to good effect, Mayo were five ahead approaching half-time but Armagh were given a lifeline with the award of a penalty. Mackin's effort was saved brilliantly by Laura Brennan in the Mayo goal, however.
The home side started the second half strongly and quickly turned the deficit into an advantage, scoring 1-3 without reply, the goal finished by Niamh Reel.
It was nip and tuck throughout the remainder of the half but Mayo looked well placed to secure victory with a great point by Lisa Cafferky and two frees from Deirdre Doherty to leave them two ahead.
An Armagh free left the minimum between the sides but in the final minute, referee Siobhan Coyle awarded Armagh a penalty for what she deemed to be a foul on Aimee Mackin.
The Armagh star made no mistake from the spot at the second time of asking, the ball hitting the net with just 15 seconds remaining. There was no time for Mayo to respond, but they can book a place in the quarterfinals with a victory over Laois next weekend.
Armagh: A. Carr; S. Grey, C. McCambridge, L. Kenny; G. Ferguson, L. McConville, C. Towe; N. Coleman, E. Lavery (0-1); B. Mackin, A. Mackin (1-5, 1-0p, 0-2f), E. Druse; N. Reel (1-0), K. Mallon (0-4), A. McCoy.
Subs used: N. Marley for Grey (H-T), C. O’Hagan for Reel (39), C. Marley for Kenny (53).
Mayo: L. Brennan; É. Ronayne, C. McManamon, D. Caldwell; C. Needham, F. McHale, K. Sullivan; A. Geraghty, S. Cafferky (1-2); S. Howley (0-1), T. O’Connor, S. Mulvihill; L. Cafferky (0-2), D. Doherty (0-6, 3f), S. Walsh.
Subs used: L. Wallace for O’Connor (29), M. Cannon for Howley (40), M. Reily for Mulvihill (48), S. Lally for Sullivan (58), R. Flynn for Needham (58).
Referee: S. Coyle (Donegal).