While the men only secured their division one status last weekend, the Mayo ladies’ team had a league quarter final under their belt already and were deep in preparations for this weekend’s semi-final. Laois will make the trip to Aghamore on Sunday afternoon at 3pm to try and stop Mayo making their way into their second national league final in three years. Wins over Donegal, Kerry and Armagh along with a draw against this weekend’s opponents Laois in the group stage, set up a taxing quarter final encounter away to Clare a fortnight ago which has put Kevin Reidy’s side into the semi-final.
The Galway native is the latest in a line of managers who have taken over Mayo in the past number of years, but he has no complaints so far from his side. “They a great bunch of girls, winners through and through. We’ve have a good blend of experience along with youth in the side. The older girls have All Ireland medals in their pockets while the younger ones are fighting to get their own medals.”
This year’s league has been a tough battle for Mayo who have been missing a number of players through either injury or unavaibilty but with the league coming to it’s closing stages and the championship looming on the horizon Reidy believes all the hard work will pay off. “We’ve had to introduce a number of the younger girls this year and they have really stepped up to the challenge when asked, players like Kathryn Sullivan and Sarah Tierney have really performed when needed.”
Mayo will go into the game against Laois knowing that win on Sunday could set them up for a tilt against the team who wrestled away their crown at the pinnacle of the ladies’ game nearly half a decade ago - Cork. The leesiders are playing an up and coming Dublin side in the other semi-final on Saturday and there is nothing more than a crack at the All Ireland champions in the league final that Mayo would like. But it’s one game at a time according to Reidy: “Cork are a serious outfit and so are Dublin. They are two very good sides who would challenge anyone, but we’re concentrating on Laois on Sunday and they can take care of themselves the day before. Laois are a good side as they proved when we played them earlier in the league, where we drew. They are a fast and skilful team, but if we play to our strengths then there is no reason we won’t win the final.”
After a possible league final, next up for Mayo is a Connacht semi-final against Leitrim which will be on the under-card of Mayo men’s first home championship game against either Leitrim or Roscommon on June 20. Reidy will be hoping the fixture will be fullfilled this year after last year’s semi-final was cancelled at short notice due to Leitrim pulling out the previous week.
