Five-star Mayo win first Gaynor placement match

By Michael Collins

MAYO turned in a five-star performance in their first 'placement' game at the Gaynor Cup in Limerick this morning, running out convincing 3-0 winners.

Longford were their opposition and despite a number of changes in the starting line-up, the young Mayo girls immediately were on the attack.

Kayla Helly brought the first save from the 'keeper in the fifth minute. Mayo went ahead on 11 minutes when centre-forward Emily Coleman showed great bravery firstly by beating the 'keeper to Grace Mulroy's astute forward pass and coolness when she rolled the rebound into the net after the 'keeper saved her initial effort. The 'keeper picked up a knock and had to be replaced.

Longford were wide with just about their only chance of the opening half. Meanwhile great tenacity by Helly down the left flank eventually led to her winning the ball back and her sublime cross was headed emphatically home by Coleman for a real Conn Rangers one two!

The second half saw Longford have more of the ball without really threatening the Mayo goal. A well hit Sive Flanagan free kick was clawed away at the back post by the Longford 'keeper. In a repeat of the Gabby Downes corner kick routine involving Ava Mitchell and Flanagan, the ball was cleared to safety.

In added time Coleman grabbed her hat-trick to move joint top of the scoring charts this year - and of course she scored goals here last year too. As the girl of the moment Emily Coleman said afterwards: “That was a perfect hat-trick, left foot, header and right foot.”

Mayo now face Wexford in their final match this evening at 6 p.m.

Mayo: K. Jelinska (c), B. Murrihy, L. McDermott, G. Mulroy, R. Lee Burke, G. Cunningham, C. Kitching, L. Kilcullen, K. Helly, M. Benson, E. Coleman, A. Mitchell, S. Flanagan, C. O'Donnell, S. Reynolds.