Laois Ladies beaten by Mayo as both sides protest in unison before the game

The Laois Ladies have been beaten by Mayo after a first-half scoring blitz saw Mayo hold an eight-point lead before the home-side took victory in MacHale Park this afternoon.

The beginning of the contest was dominated with both sides protesting due to the failure of the GAA, LGFA and the Camogie Association to implement a ‘player charter’. Laois and Mayo both wore white t-shirts with the words '#United for Equality' during the warm-up before standing together in a line for the national anthem. The game was also delayed by five mins due to the protests.

Mayo 2-15

Laois 0-8

Sinead Cafferky got the game's opening score as she split the posts from open play. Laois were unlucky not to have scored a goal as Laura Nerney fired into the back of the Mayo net, only for referee Maggie Farrelly to blow for a foul for over-carrying. Mayo added to their tally as Ciara Needham got her first score of the contest.

Naomi Luttrell, a late change to the Laois starting 15, made a superb save to deny Saoirse Delaney from close-range. Sinead Cafferky kicked over another two scores as Mayo led by four points early on. Eilis Ronayne fisted a score while Sinead Walsh and Shauna Howley (free) pushed Mayo seven points ahead with 10 minutes on the clock.

Laois finally got their first score of the game as Mo Nerney dissected the posts after 13 minutes. Saoirse Delaney was presented with a big goal chance for Mayo, but her effort went to the right of Luttrell's goal. Laois kicked a second successive score as Anna Healy curled one over off her left boot.

Sinead Walsh and Sinead Cafferky kicked a score each as Mayo held a seven-point advantage for the second time. Ellen Healy got Laois' third point before Mayo fired in their first goal of the match. Sinead Walsh received a long ball before running towards goal and blasting it into the back of the net.

Mo Nerney kicked a free to get the half's final score with Mayo winning 1-9 to 0-4 at the break. 

The second-half began with Mayo on top as they peppered the Laois goal early on. Deirdre Doherty kicked the second-half's first point from a free while Sinead Walsh almost had Mayo's second goal, only to see her thunderous effort rattled off the Laois crossbar. Mayo wouldn't have to wait long for that second goal as from the next attack, Sinead Cafferky tucked the ball into the bottom corner.

Mayo now led by 13 points as the game looked to be over with 20 minutes remaining. Their lead was increased soon after as Sinead Walsh added to her tally with another point from play. Laois had to wait until the 43rd minute to get their next score as Mo Nerney pointed a free. There was a lull of scores for five minutes with Eva Galvin pointing in the 48th minute. Sarah Ann Fitzgerald made it three Laois scores on the bounce as she dissected the posts from play.

Sinead Walsh was proving a tricky customer for Laois to deal with as the corner-forward took her tally to 1-5 with another score from play. Sarah Ann Fitzgerald pointed her second free of the contest as the game began to fizzle out. Shauna Howlry added to Mayo's already impressive lead before Mo Nerney's effort was superbly saved as Laois looked to score a consolation goal. Mayo winning out 2-15 to 0-8.

Following defeat, Laois now face a relegation battle with the three other bottom-placed sides. Laois will take on Cavan in a relegation play-off. The other side of the relegation draw sees Waterford face Tipperary. A win for Laois will ensure their Senior status remains for next season but a loss would see a relegation final against the loser of the other game.