Mayo 5-13
Na Fianna 2-6
Last week’s Championship Final is the ultimate prize in the New York Ladies GAA season, but Mayo wanted very badly to make this Cup their consolation prize.
It was all one-way traffic at the start, with Lynda Donnelly popping over two stylish scores. Louise McMahon was back at her accustomed midfield role, after being pressed into center back duty versus Cavan, and she clearly relished her freedom.
With McMahon winning possession, Mayo were constantly pushing forward. Joanne McKenna won a ball out near the corner flag and freed herself with a twisting solo run that ended up with McKenna banging home a great goal.
Na Fianna were in a bad way, and desperate for some good news. Finally after 12 minutes of frustration, center forward Jo Donlon found the target from a free. A second Donlon point raised Na Fianna’s hopes and Emma Spetz quickly followed with Na Fianna’s first point from play.
Na Fianna needed to add another score to keep their momentum going. Instead, it was Mayo that was on target. Donnelly’s third point was another good one and then Denise Dunnion fisted to Na Fianna’s goal with 26 minutes gone.
Joanne McKenna added another point and then Dunnion took McKenna’s pass and raced through to fire a great Mayo goal. McKenna added another point before halftime and Mayo were up 3-5 to 0-3 and halfway home.
The second half was merely preamble to the post game ceremonies and celebrations with Mayo too far ahead, and too good, to be threatened, much less caught.
Player of the Match: Lynda Donnelly.
Mayo: Colette McGoldrick, Fiona Wood, Joanne Monoghan, Elaine O’Donovan, Karen Henry, Tina Foy, Imelda Melarkey, Ellen McGrail, Louise McMahon, Sharon Gallagher, Lynda Donnelly (0-6), Mairead McKena, Denise Dunnion (2-2), Joanne McKenna (2-5), Kathy McKenna. Subs: Una Kennedy (1-0), Jackie McKenna, Tina Foy.
Na Fianna: Anne Murray, Mary Melly, Sue Hannon, Mags Ryan, Jeanne Rynne, Grace Kelly, Lorraine Leacy, Alison Leyden (1-0), Paula Barrtt (1-0, penalty), Jo Donlon (0-4, all frees), Liz McVeigh, Marie Melly, Emma Spetz (0-2), Siobhan Kilkenny.