Dublin 2-7
Mayo 1-7

By Daire Walsh

Rebecca McDonnell and Chloe Darby grabbed goals in either half at Parnell Park as Dublin began life under the joint management of Paul Casey and Derek Murray with a hard-earned win over Mayo in the opening round of the Lidl National Football League Division 1.

Despite the late withdrawal of team captain Carla Rowe – Mayo skipper Danielle Caldwell was also replaced in her side’s starting line-up before throw-in – Dublin raced into an early two-point buffer courtesy of fine scores by Niamh Hetherton and Sophie McIntyre.

While their western counterparts initially struggled to create attacking momentum, they eventually opened their account when full-forward Sinead Walsh knocked over an 11th minute free.

Yet despite registering a number of wides in the early stages, Dublin increased their advantage to three points as a result of Jodi Egan and Darby (free) finding the target either side of the first-quarter mark.

Another successful place-ball effort from the reliable Walsh kept Mayo within touching distance, only for the Jackies to create significant daylight when McDonnell smashed the ball to the opposition net from a tight angle on 23 minutes.

However, just when it seemed like Dublin were in control of the contest, their lead was sensationally wiped out after Walsh followed up a brace of frees with a superb 29th minute goal.

This ensured the sides were level at 1-4 apiece during the interval, but Dublin immediately re-established their authority when Darby clinically secured a three-pointer less than 20 seconds after the restart.

Although Mayo gained a temporary numerical advantage when opposition midfielder Grace Kos was sin-binned on 35 minutes, Liam McHale’s charges fell further adrift following unanswered points from Egan and Darby for the Jackies.

Mayo centre half-back Sherin El Massry did kick a fine point for the visitors just before Kos’ return to partly lift the scoring burden off Walsh’s shoulders, but Mayo were subsequently reduced to 14 players themselves inside the final-quarter when Ella Brennan fouled stand-in Dublin skipper Leah Caffrey around the middle-third of the pitch.

Points from Walsh (who finished with an impressive haul of 1-5) and Aoife Geraghty did reduce Mayo’s deficit to two late on, before Darby split the posts off a routine free to put the seal on a Dublin victory.

Scorers – Dublin: C Darby 1-3 (0-3f), R McDonnell 1-0, J Egan 0-2, N Hetherton, S McIntyre 0-1 each.

Mayo: S Walsh 1-5 (0-5f), S El Massry, A Geraghty 0-1 each.

Dublin: KM Tighe; J Tobin, L Caffrey, A Nyhan; H McGinnis, M Byrne, N Donlon; C Darby, G Kos; A Curran, R McDonnell, S McIntyre; A Timothy, N Hetherton, J Egan. Subs: K Murray for McIntyre (43), C Fox for Egan (49), C Kirwan for Timothy (64).

Mayo: R Dyar; E Brennan, S Lally, C Durkin; K Sullivan, S El Massry, H Reape; E Murray, A Geraghty; L Wallace, A Gough, M Sheridan; M Cannon, S Walsh, C Whyte. Subs: B Hession for Whyte (h-t), K Doherty for Sheridan (47), A Fitzpatrick for Sullivan (50), S Delaney for Cannon (56), J Mortimer for Reape (61).

Referee: Maggie Farrelly (Cavan).

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