Gutsy Galway end All-Ireland champions Dublin's winning streak

Galway 1-17 Dublin 1-15 

By Darren Kelly in Abbotstown 

A scoring blitz midway during the second half ended Dublin’s unbeaten record in the National League and put Galway within touching distance of the knock out stages. 

In an entertaining contest, the Tribeswomen hit 1-5 to their opponents’ 0-1 over eight minutes to seize the initiative.  Dublin led 0-10 to 0-9 on 36 minutes after three uninterrupted scores for Sinead Aherne (2) and Nicole Owens.  But after Charlotte Cooney took Tracey Leonard’s pass to level, Galway took off. 

Olivia Divilly and Aherne traded minors before Ailbhe Davoren put Galway in front. But on 46 minutes, Sarah Conneally and Nicola Ward combined to set up Caitriona Cormican and the dual star slotted low past Trant for the crucial goal before herself and Leonard made it 1-14 to 0-11. 

That being said, Dublin actually did get back level.  They reduced arrears to 1-15 to 0-14 before a long delivery saw Owens get a touch resulting in a major.  Lyndsey Davey equalised but Galway had the extra energy and Leonard converted two frees to give the visitors their third win.   

Galway went 0-3 to 0-0 ahead through Conneally, Aine McDonagh and Coen before Mick Bohan’s team settled and eventually brought the game back to 0-5 apiece. 

Aherne (2), Healy, Davey and Siobhan Woods pointed for the home team but they were guilty of wasting serious goal chances which proved critical.  Aherne struck the up right with goal at her mercy and Healy’s run and pass was intercepted by Cooney who nearly sent the ball into her own net. 

Davey made it 0-6 to 0-5 before Galway finished the half as Divilly and Leonard (2) gave them an 0-8 to 0-6 interval advantage.  They held that two-point margin during the second 30 minutes to move to 10 points and one win over Cork or Westmeath should book a semi-final place. 

Scorers:  

Galway – Tracey Leonard 0-6 (three frees), Caitriona Cormican 1-1, Aine McDonagh 0-2, Leanne Coen 0-2, Ailbhe Davoren 0-2, Olivia Divilly 0-2, Sarah Conneally 0-1, Charlotte Cooney 0-1. 

Dublin – Sinead Aherne 0-6 (five frees), Nicole Owens 1-1, Lyndsey Davey 0-3, Noelle Healy 0-2, Siobhan Woods 0-1, Jennifer Dunne 0-1, Sinead Goldrick 0-1  

Teams: 

Galway – Lisa Murphy; Fabienne Cooney, Lisa Gannon, Sarah Lynch; Shauna Molloy, Nicola Ward, Charlotte Cooney; Caitriona Cormican, Aine McDonagh; Louise Ward, Tracey Leonard, Ailbhe Davoren; Leanne Coen, Sarah Conneally, Olivia Divilly.  Subs used: Mairead Seoighe for L. Ward (41 mins), Emer Flaherty for F. Cooney (42 mins), Roisin Leonard for Conneally (53 mins), Deirdre Brennan for McDonagh (60 mins), Niamh Daly for Divilly (60 mins). 

Dublin – Ciara Trant; Martha Byrne, Deirdre Murphy, Niamh Collins; Sinead Goldrick, Siobhan McGrath, Lauren Magee; Aoife Kane, Olwen Carey; Hannah O’Neill, Noelle Healy, Tarah O’Sullivan; Sinead Ahearne, Siobhan Woods, Lyndsey Davey.  Subs used: Jennifer Dunne for O’Neill (HT), Leah Caffrey for Kane (HT), Niamh McEvoy for O’Sullivan (HT), Nicole Owens for Woods (HT), Laura McGinley for Caffrey (41 ins), Emily Flanagan for Magee (51 mins). 

Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow) 

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