Bennett puts Cavan ahead

Cavan 1-10

Mayo 1-6

The tension was high in Paddy’s field on Sunday last in the first semi final between Cavan and Mayo. With a place in the Sean Faherty Cup at stake, both teams knew one of them was just an hour away from Gaelic Park.

Cavan were first of the mark with a point from free taker Gillian Bennett. Mayo replied soon after with a point from Joanne McKenna which left no-one on the sideline in any doubt that they were in for a close one.

Cavan’s Gillian Bennett was awarded a penalty after Mayo’s keeper attempted a high tackle to stop Bennett’s shot as goal. Bennett took the penalty low and hard but keeper Patty McGrail never took her eye off the ball and made an excellent save and clearance.

Mayo dominated the game for the middle of the half but their shots went each side of the post.

Cavan took the lead with an excellent point from Catherine McAteer who shot was high and over the bar. Free kicks from Bennett and Denise Maher were also put over the bar and a further point from McAteer put Cavan ahead by 4 points.

As half time approached, Mayo knew they had to win back possession and put up some scores to stay in the game.

A free kick by Joanne McKenna was sent into the back of the net as her shot dropped under the bar. A point, moments later, also from McKenna left the sides level at half time.

In the second half, scores were tit for tat until the dying minutes of the game.

McKenna put Mayo ahead by a point but Cavan replied with a point from Gillian Bennett.

Cavan went ahead with a point from Deidre Feeney and Mayo replied with point from Camie O’Shea, which finished of a nice passing sequence from Ann Barceo to Ann Marie Suei to O’Shea.

At this stage, the game surely looked like it would end in a draw as neither side was letting go. Mayo held onto possession but were unable to take their scores until a side line pass to Fiona

Ward who put the ball over the bar to put her side in front.

With less than 10 minutes to go Mayo were hoping to hold onto their narrow lead but it wasn’t enough to stop Cavan.

Rosie Reilly drew the game and 2 points from Bennett put Cavan ahead by 2.

Mayo fought back with a point from McKenna but despite all their efforts this was their last score of the game.

In the dying minutes of the match Cavan worked the ball down the field to Bennett who got around keeper Patty McGrail, putting the ball in the back of the net and her team’s safe entry to

next weeks final.

For Mayo, all gave their best with excellent play from Fiona Ward, Louise McMahon, Ellen McGrail, Ann Marie Suei, Joanne McKenna, Teresa O’Malley and Patty McGrail.

For Cavan, their defenders were solid with great play from Ann Holland, Pauline Coleman, Olive Wilson, Olive Lynch, Louise Fox, while up front Gillian Bennett, Maureen O’Driscoll, Catherine Russell, and Catherine McAteer were best.

Scores for Cavan by: Gillian Bennett 1-5, Catherine McAteer 0-2,

Denise Maher, Rosie O’ Reilly, Deidre Feeney, 1 pt each.

Player of the Game: Louise Fox (Center half back)

Scores for Mayo by: Joanne McKenna 1-4, Camie O’Shea, Fiona Ward 1 pt each.

Player of the Game: Ellen McGrail (Mid Field)