With a massive vocal following behind them at Richmond Park, Mayo faced heavy pressure for large parts of the game but held on to claim the victory thanks to Herbert’s strike.

Going into the game having gone one better than their best placed finish of semi finalists last year, Mayo’s early lead was crucial against a side who have dominated Irish women’s soccer in recent years.

Following up early snapshots from both sides respectively in the opening ten minutes, Herbert’s pace took her away from the UCD defence after a great through ball and she calmly chipped the advancing goalkeeper.

Mayo keeper Yvonne Byrne was lucky to survive a hand ball outside the area minutes later, as UCD pushed forward immediately and Karina Kelly saw her long range effort flash wide.

With Herbert and Mullin up front for Mayo a constant threat on the break and Gee and Jenkins in the middle of the park for UCD pulling the strings, the game swung from end to end through both side’s contrasting sides.

Jackie Mulligan was unlucky not to double Mayo’s lead after half an hour, when her six yard shot was deflected and Byrne at the other end was forced into a superb one handed save from Mulhall’s curling effort.

Despite flashes of brilliance from the Mayo front players UCD dominated possession for the final twenty minutes of the half and a combination of miss-placed passes and last-ditch tackles denied them an equaliser.

In keeping with the pattern of the game and Mayo’s ability to break with pace, Herbert should have doubled her side’s lead before the break, when she broke again, only to over-run the ball on this occasion.

Beginning the second half with the same control they ended the first, UCD should have equalised within a minute when Sandra Mulhall volleyed wide from six yards when she found herself free at the back post.

Midfielder Elaine Cohalan missed another glorious chance two minutes later when she found herself free three yards out, however somehow managed to direct her header the wrong way and away from goal after a left hand side free kick.

Despite twenty-five minutes of stalemate from both sides, U.C.D had long-range effort from Jenkins and Mulhall, followed by a miss-directed header from Sharon Cullen that reminded Mayo of the threat they possessed.

Defending a one goal lead and with the clock ticking away, Mayo were content to sit back and counter, with a last ditch tackle from Niamh Connolly denying Emma Mullin a clear run on goal.

Despite a final five minutes spent under siege form U.C.D pressure Mayo held for a victory that meant so much to women’s soccer in Mayo.

Speaking after the game, Mayo manager Aiden Flatley emphasised the importance of the win, “This will just do unbelievable things for women’s football in Mayo and I am so proud of the girls tonight,” said the manager.

“We knew how strong they were and came in with a game plan and the girls carried it out really top class,” he added.

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