Jackies march on following semi-final win over Mayo

Daire Walsh

The Dublin ladies footballers continued their quest for a fifth consecutive All-Ireland senior championship title with a deserved 1-17 to 2-9 success against Mayo at Croke Park this afternoon.

Clondalkin native Hannah Tyrrell maintained her excellent form by contributing a final haul of five points, while an opening half goal from Caoimhe O’Connor also proved pivotal in keeping their western rivals at bay.

 Although Rachel Kearns and Sarah Rowe both found the net for the Connacht side, they largely played second fiddle to Dublin throughout the contest.

In addition to Tyrrell, there was local interest in the form of Ballinteer St John’s star Orlagh Nolan as well as Thomas Davis duo Olwen Carey and Siobhan McGrath.

 This triumvirate were selected across the Dublin half-back line, with Nolan – a former Republic of Ireland underage soccer international – getting forward to kick a late score.

Having ruled the roost at this level for the past few years, Mick Bohan’s Jackies will be firm favourites to triumph in the forthcoming Brendan Martin Cup final.

 Their opponents in that decider will be the winners of tomorrow’s semi-final clash between Cork and Meath at GAA HQ.

Played as a precursor to the meeting of their male counterparts, it was Dublin who held the upper hand over Mayo during the early exchanges.

 Niamh Hetherton, Tyrrell, O’Connor and Siobhan Killeen all found the target to give the champions a four-point lead inside the opening eight minutes.

While a Rowe goal offered Mayo hope, the Metropolitans quickly responded with a major of their own from O’Connor.

 Even though Kearns joined Rowe in rattling the back of the Sky Blues net, Bohan’s charges nevertheless brought a 1-10 to 2-1 cushion into the interval.

Having represented Ireland in both 7s and 15s international rugby for a number of years, Tyrrell returned to the inter-county fold earlier this year.

 She has taken the LGFA by storm in the past couple of months and traded a brace of scores with Kearns on the resumption.

All five of her points came from open play and with team captain Sinead Aherne matching this haul, they held off a spirited showing by Mayo to book themselves into another national showpiece.