This National League campaign for Liam McHale’s Mayo ladies team didn’t get any easier tonight at the Athletic Grounds. Up against the well-drilled Division One champions on their home patch it was always a big ask for our women to get a positive result and, despite another battling performance, so it proved.
The exchanges were competitive early on, with Bree Hession getting onto the scoreboard twice in the opening quarter. Playing into the town end, however, Armagh got on top as the half progressed and, like the men, they enjoyed a handsome lead at half-time.
By then they’d found the net for the first time, through Niamh Henderson, and they took a lead of ten points into the break.
We began the second half in more positive fashion and, thanks to a Saoirse Lally goal, we managed to pare back the lead to just five points. When Niamh Henderson goaled for a second time for the Orchard County, however, there was no way back. Armagh won by 2-14 to 1-10 at the finish.
It’s worth noting that, like the men’s game, there was no colour clash in this match either. For this one we were the team who changed, sporting the all-navy alternative kit, and so there was no confusion for us colour-blind people. It was, quite literally, great to see.
With a fourth straight defeat in this campaign, it’s now becoming ever clearer that relegation is the fate awaiting this young Mayo team. However, there are still chances to pick up points in the coming weeks, starting next weekend when they meet All-Ireland champions Kerry.
Mayo: Julia Gawalkiewicz; Lucy Wallace, Saoirse Lally, Ella Brennan; Danielle Caldwell, Jenna Mortimer, Hannah Reape; Aoife Geraghty, Annie Gough; Bree Hession, Maria Cannon, Milly Sheridan; Sinéad Walsh, Clodagh Keane, Kayla Doherty. Subs: Nicola O’Malley for Gough, Saoirse Delaney for Walsh, Riona Jordan for Brennan, Chelsea Doherty for Sheridan, Ciara Whyte for Keane, Ciara Durkan for Doherty, Siomha McNulty for Mortimer, Suzanne Touhy for Hession.
Glorydays says:
February 23, 2025 at 10:40 am
Poor ol Liam isnt fairing to well with the ladies though in fairness he has a very young inexperienced side after last years mass exodus
Pebblesmeller says:
February 23, 2025 at 11:44 am
Maybe, but a few this year left because of him, and he dropped a few. Very poor squad management from him and there's talented girls in there who are 2 to 3 years too early.
Ontheditch says:
February 23, 2025 at 12:24 pm
Very high level of fitness in ladies football. On a learning curve, but there is the makings of a good panel there.
Sticks for the Reek says:
February 23, 2025 at 1:43 pm
I enjoyed watching Mayo especially in the first half and was only thinking it's a pity the men wouldn't move the ball as quickly and know what they are meant to do. We mixed hand passing and kick passing which was good but unfortunately in the second half we resorted too much to hand passing. We have a few super athletes but we are lacking a bit in the forwards and a little bit of skill level at times. However hopefully they stick together and we will have a very decent team in 2 to 3 years time.
Sean Burke says:
February 23, 2025 at 3:31 pm
After all the chat about Galway , Donegal , Armagh and Tyrone as contenders would it surprise anyone if Dublin and Kerry contested the all Ireland final this year ,wouldn’t surprise some of us anyway , think they have the best teams in the country . Clifford is going to run amok under new rules as predicted by a lot , dubs were so slick and quick last night , the amount of people writing them off was quite frankly ridiculous.
2 hops says:
February 23, 2025 at 3:37 pm
Kerry are different gravy with Clifford on board no doubt, but he'll need a bit more help throughout a long season. He'll probably get a break once Kerry are safe in league and he can spare him early championship once a few more take up the slack.
Bonni Boyler says:
February 24, 2025 at 1:10 pm
Was disappointed they didn't play the ladies game before the men's as it would have been nice to have more support for both teams and build atmosphere for the men's game. The game was at least an hour after the men's and most of the crowd had left to go home and it got very chilly. I was tempted to watch but the kids were getting cold and settled for the Clubhouse. I did get chatting to Kevin Mc Stay after the match which was a nice bonus.