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LGAA Roundup Mighty Mayo women too strong for Cavan

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Pierce O’Reilly

Mayo 4-8, Cavan 0-11

A fabulous full-hearted first-half performance by Mayo earned the Westerners a well-deserved victory in this keenly contested tie at Van Cortlandt Park on Sunday morning.

The difference between the sides was visible from the off: Mayo were positive and progressive, while the Breffini women were pedestrian. Indeed, Mayo were full of pride, while Cavan, champions for the last seven seasons, looked like a team living on its past traditions.

Mayo enjoyed a numerical advantage for most of the game. Cavan center back Mary Maguire was sent to the line for a striking offense early in the game and from there to the end the Ulster girls were fighting an uphill battle. Mayo started in scintillating form and hit early scores through full forward Denise Durnion and Joanne McKenna. Durnion was outstanding in the opening 15 minutes and registered 2-5 from play for the Westerners before the Cavan defense had settled. When they realized the game was in full swing they were trailing by 10 points. Cavan only managed one point in the opening half that coming from Nadine Doherty who was clearly uncomfortable at full forward in the absence of injured all-star Gillian Bennett.

Some harsh words from the Cavan backroom team at the interval revived their troops at the start of the second half. Early points from Ger Mahon, Sue Bennett (2) and Nadine Doherty had the gap down to seven points after 10 minutes. Previous Mayo sides would have crumbled in similar circumstances yet this one under the eye of Paddy Ward stuck to their task in style. The Westerners held their heads and their nerve to weather the storm, and with Louis Fox, Ellen McGreal and Karen McClafferty running the roost from the back, they eventually got on top again.

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After 15 minutes of the second half, Joanne McKenna pounced for goal No. 3 for Mayo and they regained control. Cavan always needed a goal to get back into this game, but it never looked like arriving. The Mayo defense was resolute with the Foxes snapping up every attack as it materialized. Midfield sprayed the ball around with a confidence and accuracy that was missing in their earlier games, and with the McKenna sisters and Denise Durnion rattling late scores, they finished the stronger. Cavan have no apparent need to push the panic button yet. They may have been lethargic and lackluster on Sunday, but they were missing a number of key players due to injury.

Mayo: Ann Marie McGreal, Mary Toolan, Louise Fox, Eleanor Fox, Elaine Donovan, Fiona Ward, Louis McMahon, Ellen McGreal 0-1, Sharon Gallagher, Cathy McKenna 1-0, Collette McGoldrick, Loretto Duffy, Joanne McKenna 1-4, Denise Durnion 2-3, Karen McClafferky.

Cavan: Sharon Levins, Marina Duggan, Olive Lynch, Geralding Flaherty, Pualine Coleman, Mary Maguire, Caroline O’Sullivan, Justine Clifford, Ger Mahon 0-3, Karen Shavely, Sue Bennett 0-6, Nuala Carroll, Rosie O’Reilly, Nadine Doherty 0-2, Katie Pennell.

Monaghan 4-5, Rockland 1-1

While the top two played at Van Cortlandt Park, minnows Monaghan and Rockland battled it out on the resod surface at Gaelic Park. It was the first Sunday for the women’s GAA at the men’s headquarters, and while all hoped for a classic encounter, it never materialized.

Monaghan, to their credit, are improving with every game, yet they lack an overall coordination that the front runners have in abundance. Rockland will look on the season as a steppingstone to the future, things can only get better. The upstaters have struggled to get points this season, yet they have being honest in everything they’ve done.

On Sunday, Monaghan hit the ground running. Three early goals inside six minutes knocked the stuffing out of Rockland. Sheila Sexton hit 2-2 from play with Sandra Swinburne latching onto all the breaks in the forward line. Rockland battled to the bitter end with Lorrane McKiernan, their best player, finding the target for 1-1. The Ulster women will have to improve at the back if they are to acquire more points before the season ends. This victory will give them some hope for the future. If they meet Mayo, Cavan or Kerry in the next few weeks, it will be short lived.

Monaghan: Catherine Flood 0-1, Breda O’Neill 1-1, Sandra Swinburne 2-0, Sheila Sexton 2-2.

Rockland: Lorraine McKiernan 1-1.

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