Mayo run Dublin close in LGFA league opener
Rebecca McDonnell and Chloe Darby grabbed goals in either half at Parnell Park as Dublin began life under the joint management of Paul Casey and Derek Murray with a hard-earned 2-7 to 1-7 win over Mayo in the opening round of the Lidl National Football League Division 1, writes Daire Walsh.
Despite the late withdrawal of team captain Carla Rowe – Mayo skipper Danielle Caldwell was also replaced in her side’s starting line-up before throw-in – Dublin raced into an early two-point buffer courtesy of fine scores by Niamh Hetherton and Sophie McIntyre.
While Mayo initially struggled to create attacking momentum, they eventually opened their account when full-forward Sinead Walsh knocked over an 11th minute free.
Despite registering a number of wides in the early stages, Dublin increased their advantage to three points as a result of Jodi Egan and Darby (free) finding the target either side of the first-quarter mark.
Another successful free from the reliable Walsh kept Mayo within touching distance, only for the Jackies to create significant daylight when McDonnell smashed the ball to the visitors' net from a tight angle on 23 minutes.
However, just when it seemed like Dublin were in control of the contest, their lead was sensationally wiped out after Walsh followed up a brace of frees with a superb 29th minute goal.
This ensured the sides were level at 1-4 apiece during the interval, but Dublin immediately re-established their authority when Darby clinically scored a second goal for the hosts less than 20 seconds after the restart.
Although Mayo gained a temporary numerical advantage when opposition midfielder Grace Kos was sin-binned on 35 minutes, Liam McHale’s charges fell further adrift following unanswered points from Egan and Darby for the Jackies.
Mayo centre half-back Sherin El Massry kicked a fine point for her team just before Kos’ return, partly lifting the scoring burden off Walsh’s shoulders, but Mayo were subsequently reduced to 14 players themselves inside the final quarter when Ella Brennan fouled stand-in Dublin skipper Leah Caffrey around the middle-third of the pitch.
Points from Walsh (who finished with an impressive haul of 1-5) and Aoife Geraghty reduced Mayo’s deficit to two late on before Darby split the posts off a routine free to put the seal on a Dublin victory.
Dublin: K.M. Tighe; J. Tobin, L. Caffrey, A. Nyhan; H. McGinnis, M. Byrne, N. Donlon; C. Darby (1-3, 3f), G. Kos; A. Curran, R. McDonnell (1-0), S. McIntyre (0-1); A. Timothy, N. Hetherton (0-1), J. Egan (0-2).
Subs used: K. Murray, C. Fox, C. Kirwan.
Mayo: R. Dyar; E. Brennan, S. Lally, C. Durkin; K. Sullivan, S. El Massry (0-1), H. Reape; E. Murray, A. Geraghty (0-1); L. Wallace, A. Gough, M. Sheridan; M. Cannon, S. Walsh (1-5, 5f), C. Whyte.
Subs used: B. Hession, K. Doherty, A. Fitzpatrick, S. Delaney, J. Mortimer.
Referee: M. Farrelly (Cavan).