Minors defy underdog status to defeat Mayo on free-kicks
GALWAY retained their Connemara Blue Connacht Minor (U-18) A Ladies Football Championship title after an epic battle with Mayo at a sun-drenched Bekan on Saturday.
The sides could not be separated in regulation or extra-time, so it went down to a dramatic 25-metre free-kick shootout. After five kicks each, the sides were still deadlocked at four points apiece, so it went to sudden death.
When Isobel Phillips' effort went wide for Mayo, Mia O'Donnell had the chance to win it for Galway. The Salthill-Knocknacarra clubwoman made no mistake with her effort to spark scenes of jubilation as Galway celebrated a 12th consecutive Connacht title in the most dramatic of circumstances.
It was a cruel way to lose it, but Galway will be delighted to have upset the odds and overcome a side that defeated them by ten points at The Neale in the round-robin series.
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