Mayo manager Michael Moyles was impressed by his players’ devastating third quarter that sealed their place in the Lidl NFL Division 1 semi-finals.
Lisa Cafferky and Sinéad Walsh both helped themselves to two goals in the comprehensive 6-6 to 2-8 victory over Galway at Tuam Stadium.
But Mayo were only 3-3 to 1-3 ahead at half-time before they blitzed their Connacht rivals and put the game out of sight.
“I felt in the first half when we had the breeze we didn’t transition very well, we tried to go too long,” said Moyles.
“Galway were running the ball a bit better than we were. They were running harder than we were and they had more support play, that was disappointing. They went through the middle of us in that first half.
“We talked about that at half-time. I was happy with the first ten minutes of the second half. Regardless of the players that Galway are missing, they still play the same style of football, and it’s very hard to stop.”
27 February 2022; Sinead Cafferky of Mayo scores her side's fourth goal during the Lidl Ladies Football National League Division 1 match between Galway and Mayo at Tuam Stadium in Galway. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Galway came into this game on the back of a narrow defeat away to Donegal while Mayo had scored seven goals in their huge victory over Westmeath at the Connacht Air Dome.
And despite goals from Mairéad Seoighe and Kate Slevin Galway lost again, with their new joint-manager Maghnus Breathnach looking for his side to bounce back next time out.
“In fairness to Mayo they’re an experienced side, All-Ireland semi-finalists last year. They took their opportunities and they really drove it on, so it’s something for us to learn from as well,” said Breathnach.
"We’re in the same situation we were in last year, two losses. We’ll be gunning for Westmeath now. It’ll be a serious game. It’s a big game for those girls. A lot of them are younger and they’ll take serious learnings from it.”
Outside of Division 1A, there were victories for Kerry, Armagh and Kildare while Sligo and Down could not be separated.
In Division 2A, Kerry advanced to the semi-finals thanks to Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh’s strike in their 1-13 to 0-9 win at Doonbeg.
Armagh also moved through to the next phase with Lauren McConville and Aimee Mackin on target in a 2-13 to 0-10 win against Cavan at the Athletic Grounds.
In 3A, Sligo and Down finished 3-6 to 3-6 while Kildare were 2-11 to 2-5 winners against Longford in Division 3B, securing their place in the next stage.
Ladies football results:
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1A:
Mayo 6-6 Galway 2-8
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2A:
Kerry 1-13 Clare 0-9
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 2B:
Armagh 2-13 Cavan 0-10
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3A:
Sligo 3-6 Down 3-6
Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 3B:
Kildare 2-11 Longford 2-5
Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
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