Galway Claim U14 All- Ireland after classic encounter with Waterford

 

GALWAY 6-12 WATERFORD 5-08

 

The scoreline might say different but this was a very tight affair between both counties. Only in injury time of the 2nd half did Galway eventually pulled away from their opponents. The girls from the west started brightly when Chloe Miskell tapped over their first point shortly after the throw in. Waterford responded quickly with a point from Kaiesha Tobin but Galway were in front again when Rebecca Conway pointed after Ailish Morrissey’s shot came back off the crossbar.

 

This was the last time Galway had the lead until the closing stages as Waterford and, in particular, their no 14 Kaiesha Tobin hit a purple patch from the 8th minute. Niamh Coleman minjudged the flight of the ball and the Waterford full forward gained posession and hit the back of the net. A minute later the same player was pulled down in the box and she steped up to drive the penalty home. Annie Fitzgerald pointed a minute later as Galway suddenly found themselves 6 points down.

 

They responded in style as Ailish Morrissey and Rebecca Conway both found the back of the net midway through the half but again a minute later Abbie Dunphy scored a goal to give Waterford the lead again. Morrissey and Rebecca Creaven closed the gap for Galway with a point apiece and as the half was coming to a close Waterford’s Aishling Baumann opened her account with a goal and a point and Annie Fitzgerald added her 2nd point to leave the half time score at Galway 2-04 Waterford 4-04.

 

Galway knew they had to get into the game early in the 2nd half and Rosie Landers in the Waterford goal pulled off a great save from Rebecca Conway in the 1st minute and Niamh Coleman tipped the rebound over the bar. Waterford immediately broke up the field and Abbie Dunphy grabbed her 2nd goal of the game as Galway now found themselves 8 points down. A brillant solo point by Chloe Miskell and a goal by Conway gave Galway some hope and when 2nd half sub Kate Screen, who was having a big influence in the middle of the field, pointed the gap was back to 4.

 

Galway were now flying and had a bit of luck in the 12th minute when Lynsey Noone’s shot came off the upright and hit the Waterford goalkeeper flying into the net. Another Meskill point and a Morrissey free had Galway up by a point. 3 points by Kaiesha Tobin swung the game back in favour of Waterford as the half closed but in injury they collapsed. Rebecca Conway’s 3rd goal brought Galway level and Morrissey then grabbed 2 points within a minute. Another Conway point and a last minute goal by sub Louise Reilly broke Waterford hearts to leave the final score at Galway 6-12 Waterford 5-08.

 

GALWAY: Karen Connolly, Katlyn Hogan, Marie Mitchell,(C), Shauna Flaherty, Kate Geraghty, Meave Flanagan, Katie Quigley, Amy Coen, Niamh Coleman(0-01,1free), Lynsey Noone(1-00), Chloe Miskell(0-03), Rebecca Creaven(0-01), Andrea Trill, Ailish Morrissey(1-04,1 free), Rebecca Conway(3—02).

 

SUBS: Leah Petit for Katlyn Hogan, Kate Screen(0-01) for Rebecca Creaven, Louise Reilly(1-00) for Leah Petit, Lara Finnegan for Andrea Trill