Galway See off Mayo to Finish Top

MAYO  2- 06     GALWAY  1-16

 

The Galway Ladies not only qualified for the semi final of the Tesco Homegrown NFL but also finished top of the table after Dublin defeated Cork. Kevin Reidy’s team will now play Dublin in the semi final while neighbours Cork and Kerry do battle in the other semi. Going into the game Galway knew that a win was the only sure way to reach the semi’s and they started brightly when Patrica Gleeson fired over their first point after 3 minutes.

 

Mayo, however; reminded them that the home side were not going to lie down and star player Cora Staunton found the back of the net on 7 mins from a free just outside the penalty box. Galway added 2 points from Annette Clarke and Tracey Leonard before Staunton added 2 more points to keep Mayo ahead. On 16 mins Galway moved up a gear and  scored 1-07 without reply for the remainder of the half. Tracey Leonard scored 1-02  and a point each from Patricia Gleeson, Lorna Joyce, Annette Clarke, Ger Coneally and Edel Concannon had Galway going in at half time 1-10 to 1-02 ahead.

 

Edel Concannon scored her 2nd point a minute into the 2nd half but then we had an 8 minute break with what looked a serious injury to Cora Staunton but she recovered to play on. 2 Clarke points and one from Leonard kept  Galway ticking over before Mayo, on 16 mins, got 2 chances to bring some respectability to the score. The Galway management will not be happy with the way they conceded a 2nd goal from another close range free and 2 mins later Fabienne Cooney pulled down Cora Staunton and the referee awarded Mayo a penalty. Johanna Connolly in the Galway goal produced a brilliant save from Staunton that was the end of the Mayo threat.

Two more points from Staunton were cancelled out by Leonard and Joyce as Galway went on to win by 1-16 to 2-06.

GALWAY: Johanna Connolly, Sarah Gormally, Emer Flaherty, Noelle Connolly, Fabienne Cooney, Nicola Ward, Sinead Burke, Annette Clarke( 0-04, 1f), Ger Conneally(0-01), Barbara Hannon, Patrica Gleeson(0-02), Louise Ward, Lorna Joyce(0-02), Tracey Leonard(1-05,1f), Edel Concannon(0-02)

SUBS: Olivia Divilly for Gleeson, Mairead Coyne for Noelle Connolly, Dierdre Brennan for Concannon, Lucy Hannon for Joyce.

 

Galway Team Attached.

 

BACK L-R. Lisa Gannon (Kilkerrin-Clonberne), Mairead Coyne (Grainne Mhaol’s), Sarah Gormelly (Kilkerrin-Clonberne), Emer Flaherty (Tuam-Cortoon), Edel Concannon (Clann na Gael), Johanna Connolly (Glenamaddy-Williamstown), Barbara Hannon (Dunmore), Annette Clarke (Kilkerrin-Clonberne), Sarah Conneally (Dunmore), Caitriona Cormican (St Gabriels), Louise Ward (Kilkerrin-Clonberne), Olivia Divilly (Kilkerrin-Clonberne), Gillian O Connor (Caherlistrane), Lucy Hannon (Dunmore), Patrica Gleeson (Corofin), Una Carroll (Corofin), Tina Hughes (Corofin).

 

FRONT L-R. Annie Connaughton (Dunmore), Lorna Joyce (Clonbur), Noelle Connolly (Glenamaddy-Williamstown), Ger Conneally Capt (Dunmore), Sinead Burke (Killannin), Tracey Leonard (Corofin), Nicola Ward (Kilkerrin-Clonberne), Fabienne Cooney (Claregalway), Eilis Gannon (Glenamaddy-Williamstown), Dierdre Brennan (Claregalway), Aoife Newell (Corofin), Sarah Lynch (Naomh Anna Leitirmoir), Aoibheann Daly (Milltown), Marie Hoey (Ballyboden St Enda’s)