Both Mayo Gaynor Cup Squads saw Semi-Final action at a bitterly cold Solar 21 Park, Milebush, Castlebar on Saturday afternoon.

Up first kicking off at midday was the U13s hosting Galway in a western derby.  This young side were so unlucky to have missed out on top spot in their group by virtue of goals scored and have put together a string of fine performances all year so confidence was high in the group of this pattern carrying on. That confidence took a blow in the 6th minute when they momentarily stopped, waiting on a whistle for an opposition handball which led to an overload and Galway took full advantage to score and go ahead.

Mayo had their first sight of goal two minutes later when Ursula Shaughnessy was denied at the expense of a corner after being played in by Kasey Ruane. Kasey herself then worked the keeper a minute later. A lot of our play was up the right wing and with 18 minutes on the clock Kasey played a wonderful through ball for Ursula to step inside the centre-back and fire home the equaliser.

Galway probably had the most of the remaining 1st half aided by the very strong wind but the Mayo defensive unit worked magnificently both as individuals and a unit, to keep clear-cut chances to the bare minimum despite the visitors forcing a number of corners.

The opening 10 minutes of the 2nd half saw Galway hit the post following a corner and a superb Aoife Meaney save one on one when she had the dangerous centre forward bearing down on her.

Emma Higgins was just wide after a storming run on 41 minutes and from there on the Mayo girls really started to dominate. Just two minutes later a delightfully delivered Amy Murphy free kick from wide on our left found Ruane at the back post and she finished emphatically across the keeper.

Murphy had a rasping shot parried away by the keeper 10 minutes later before one of her cleverly worked corners bobbled around on the edge of the box before the impressive Roise Burke took control of the ball, dropped a shoulder and hit a fantastic effort into the bottom corner. Super goal.

Final Score.

Mayo           3

Galway        1.

In an excellent all round team performance the defensive unit of Amy Doherty and Kate Byrne at full-backs early in the game, Emma Higgins and Kayleigh Doherty late in the game in those positions, the magnificent centre-back pairing of Aoife Collins and Aine Monaghan and between the sticks the wonderful Aoife Meaney was the foundation of this victory every bit as much as the goal-scorers. Mayo wait to see who they will face in the Plate Final which will be held in University of Limerick.

The Mayo U15s kicked off at 230 pm with Wexford providing the opposition in the Shield Sem-Final. Mayo had created their first chance as early as the 4th minute when Ashleagh Salmon’s effort was blocked by the keeper. Within a minute a well worked move up the right involving Emma Duffy and Salmon saw Emily Vahey’s shot just miss the target.

Kayla Doherty was out of luck on 10 minutes when her well struck free-kick cannoned back off the crossbar while good work from Saoirse Byrne and Salmon saw the latter’s “goal” correctly ruled out for offside.

10 minutes had passed before Charlie Benson in the Mayo goal had her first touch of the ball but four minutes later Wexford went ahead from a free-kick. Benson made a brilliant stop to prevent further damage. An excellent move by Byrne, Doherty and Salmon ended with Ashleagh’s cross-shot going right across the goal with no takers. The same trio combined again on the stroke of half-time with Byrne being denied by the visiting goalkeeper.

The 2nd half opened with another Mayo attack led by Doherty and Salmon with Byrne on the end of it but just shooting over the top. With 40 minutes gone a barnstorming Katie Heaney run up the left released Salmon but the keeper made a brave save. Doherty and Salmon then exchanged passes to tee-up Heaney but her rifle of a shot hit the bar.

A brilliant run and shot by Doherty was parried out by the keeper and Salmon was the quickest (and bravest) to the rebound to tie the game up at one a piece. The parity only lasted 4 minutes though before Wexford restored their lead. With eleven minutes plus stoppage time to come there was still loads of time to get back into the game but Wexford now defended very compactly and apart from one late Salmon effort which was saved, they comfortably seen the game out.

Final Score.

Mayo           1

Wexford      2.

Mayo were certainly a tad unlucky to lose here having hit the bar twice but the difference in the 2 teams on the day was that Wexford were the much more clinical of the teams and they defended very well after their 2nd goal.