Dublin 2-10
Mayo 1-12
Dublin’s Senior Ladies footballers are through to their third All Ireland Final in a row after beating Mayo this evening in a dramatic semi-final which was played in Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan.
Sinead Aherne was the hero of the hour as she held her nerve right at the death to nail a free to give Dublin a one point win and a place in September showpiece final.
Dublin had led by six points at the break thanks in no small measure to Player Of The Match Sinead Aherne who brilliantly scored both of Dublin’s first half goals.
Mayo came out with renewed vigor in the second half and pushed Dublin onto the back foot. A goal from Rachel Kearns brought the sides level sixteen minutes into the second half and the game was in the melting pot.
Crucially for Dublin Mayo failed to gain the lead for the rest of the game and with three minutes left Nicole Owens put the girls in blue back in front. But Mayo hit straight back a minute later with a point from Carol Hegarty and it was looking like the game would head into extra-time.
Mayo had the chance to take the lead with the clock running down but Cora Staunton failed with her attempt. Dublin quickly broke upfield, the ball was played into Sinead Aherne who was fouled as she tried to cut inside from the left wing.
The clock was ticking down to zero it was going to be the last play of the game, Aherne took the ball, took a deep breath, took one look at the posts and with an All Ireland place on the line, struck the ball over the black spot for victory.
What a game tonight it had everything and ended in the most dramatic fashion. Dublin will now prepare to play in four weeks time either reigning champions Cork or Monaghan who play their semi-final next week. If the final is even half as dramatic as tonight game it’s going to be some game.
Dublin Scorers:
Sinead Aherne 2-06
Carla Rowe 0-01
Noelle Healy 0-01
Sinead Goldrick 0-01
Nicole Owens 0-01
Mayo Scorers:
Cora Stunton 0-08
Rachel Kearns 1-00
Aileen Gilroy 0-02
Grace Kelly 0-01
Carol Hegarty 0-01
