The Mayo Ladies go looking to make it back to the All Ireland semifinal tomorrow afternoon - when they take on one of the most improving sides in the country - Donegal.
The Ulster girls were promoted to division one of the league this year and went on to win five of their seven outings, including a final round game against Mayo, where they won 4-13 to 2-11. They followed that up with a win over Galway in the league semifinal, before going down to Cork in the league final decider.
For Mayo they had a long wait from the end of their league campaign, until the Connacht final against Galway where the Tribeswomen ran out convincing winners in MacHale Park. A fortnight ago, Frank Browne's outfit got back to winning ways when they saw off the challenge of Kildare in the qualifiers running out 3-20 to 0-8 winners over the Lilywhites in Ballinasloe, to set up tomorrow's meeting with the Ulster champions, who were easy winners over Monaghan in their provincial decider running out 4-11 to 0-15 winners.
One of the most pleasing things for Mayo from their win over Kildare was the scoring return from other players around Cora Staunton, the Carnacon ace finished up with a personal haul of 1-11, but Sara Rowe chipped in with 1-4 and Grace Kelly kicked 1-3 in the win, wile Orla Conlon and Aileen Gilroy also got in on the scoring act over the hour. The 2-9 all from play scored by Rowe, Kelly, Gilroy and Conlon is something that Frank Browne will be hoping to see Mayo be able continue to do tomorrow to take the pressure of Staunton's shoulders.
The Mayo defensive unit will have to keep a very close eye on Donegal full forward Geraldine McLoughlin who finished up with 2-6 in their Ulster final win, but either side of McLoughlin in the full forward line there are plenty of other danger women for Mayo to worry about with both Yvonne McMonagle and Roisin Friel also finding the back of the net in that Ulster final win.
While Donegal are a team on the up, Mayo will be looking to their experienced heads to see them through this game, with the likes of Yvonne Byrne, Sarah Tierney, Martha Carter, Fiona McHale, and Fiona Doherty all having plenty of experience at the highest level in the game - and with the scoring ability of Staunton, Rowe, and Kelly up front, Mayo never fear facing anyone.
