Dublin 0-08
Mayo 0-13 (FT)

Dublin suffered a shock defeat in the NFL today when Mayo inspired by veteran footballer Cora Staunton came away from DCU with a 0-13 to 0-8 victory much to the delight of new Mayo boss Frank Browne.

Dublin got off to what seemed a perfect start when within under a minute of playing time they were awarded a penalty following a foul on full forward Niamh McEvoy. Corner Forward Nicole Owens directed the resulting free kick straight at Mayo keeper Aisling Tarpey who quickly cleared the ball away from the danger zone.

The game was a tough physical encounter riddled with frees and stoppages not a pretty sceptical for the sizeable crowd of spectators who had made their way to the Glasnevin venue.

The evergreen Cora Staunton was once again in fine form for the Connacht outfit converting six frees plus tagging on one point from play in the opening half. Mayo's other first half score came from right half forward Rachel Kearns.

Sinead Goldrick had struck from wing half back for Dublin's opening point while the Dublin's other two additional first half scores came from a Lucy Collins free and a point from the industrious Nicole Owens.

The visitors were the happiest at the break taking a five point lead into the dressing room as the score board read, Mayo 0-8 Dublin 0-03.

Gregory McGonigle introduced All Star Noelle Healy and U21 All Ireland winner Niamh Rickard for the second half with the hope of injecting some pace into his beleaguered forward line who at times where struggling to maintain possession.

Mayo's Yvonne Byrne although wearing the number 14 jersey spent most of the afternoon deep in her own defence playing a sweeper role. The pressure being applied by the Mayo defence was causing the Dublin forwards some consternation with a number of their shots falling short or unluckily for the Dubs hitting the DCU wood work.

Match official Gavin Corrigan was not enduring himself to the home support or indeed Dublin players with a number of his decisions drawing questions. 

The game was physical throughout the 60 minutes with St Sylvester's Nicole Owens having to leave the field of play with suspected concussion following two heavy tackles.

Try as they might Dublin simply had no answers to Mayo with the Connacht side worthy of their five point victory.

Next Sunday Dublin travel to Kerry to take on the pride of the Kingdom as 12:30 in Legion GAA club, Killarney.

Dublin: Ciara Trant (St Brigids), Olwen Carey (Thomas Davis), Sorcha Furlong (St Brigids), Muireann Ní Scanaill (St Margarets), Sinead Goldrick (Foxrock Cabinteely), Lucy Collins (Na Fianna), Sinead Finnegan (Fingallians), Amy Connolly (Foxrock Cabinteely), Carla Rowe (Clann Mhuire), Lyndsey Davey (Skerries Harps), Kim Flood (Clanna Gael Fontenoy), Eabha Rutledge (Kilmacud Crokes), Nicole Owens (St Sylvester's), Niamh McEvoy (St Sylvester's), Hannah Noonan (Foxrock Cabinteely). Subs: Noelle Healy for Eabha Rutledge, Niamh Rickard for Kim Flood, Katie Murray for Niamh McEvoy, Fiona Hudson for Hannah Noonan, Eabha Rutledge for Nicole Owens (head injury), Niamh Collins for Sinead Finnegan.

Scorers: Lyndsey Davey 0-03 (2f), Sinead Goldricks, Lucy Collins (f), Amy Connolly, Niamh Rickard, Nicole Owens 0-01 each

Mayo: Aisling Tarpey, Kate Moore, Sarah Tierney, Lisa McManamon, Nicola O'Malley, Martha Carter, Doireann Hughes, Fiona McHale, Fiona Doherty, Marie Corbett, Cora Staunton, Rachel Kearns, Anna Tuohy, Yvonne Byrne, Niamh Kelly. Subs: Natasha Gaughan for Kearns, Orla Conlon for Niamh Kelly

Scorers: Cora Staunton 0-11 (8f), Rachel Kearns, Natasha Gaughan 0-01 each

Referee: Gavin Corrigan

Lines people: Antoin Keating, Michelle Keating

www.dublinladiesgaelic.ie

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