Clare 5-11
Galway 3-20
Galway Ladies secured a vital league win over Clare in a game that produced eight goals at Doonbeg on Sunday.
It gave Galway their second win from three National Football League fixtures, with only Kerry and Mayo unbeaten in division two.
Having played Clare in a challenge earlier in the season, Galway travelled to Clare knowing they faced a tough challenge, and, for long periods, it looked as if Clare would prevail.
Galway were first off the mark with a point from Mairead Coyne, but Clare took control and had 1-03 points on the board before Gillian Joyce pointed for Galway. Deirdre Brennan and Marie Considine exchanged points from play, while Tracy Leonard and Ailish Considine exchanged point from frees. Coyne, Leonard and Brennan brought the tally to seven points, just one point down, but Ailish Considine struck again with a goal for Clare. In the next 10 minutes Clare scored another 2-02 to bring their tally to 4-08, with Galway finishing the half with a Deirdre Brennan goal and pointed free from Leonard to bring their half-time score to 1-10.
It did not look good for Galway at this stage, but they returned to the field transformed, scoring a goal and five points without reply to take a one-point lead. Mairead Coyne was the goalscorer, while Tracy Leonard added two points from frees, Ger Conneally scored two from play, and Claire Hehir also got on the scorebord with a point.
As expected Clare hit back with 1-2 to take a three-point lead again, but Galway had more left in the tank. When Mairead Coyne found the net for the second time, they took off - two points from Aoibheann Daly and one each from Claire Hehir and Edel Concannon ensured Galway secured the victory.
Galway now meet Kerry in round four at a Galway venue on March 4.
Galway: Lisa Murphy (Kilkerrin Clonbern ), Tessa Mullins (Monivea Abbey ), Marie Brennan (Milltown ), Siobhan Divilly (Salthill Knocknacarra ), Claire Gibbons (Glenamaddy Williamstown ), Fabienne Cooney (Claregalway ), Sinead Burke (Capt ) (Killannin ), Aoibheann Daly (Milltown ), Claire Hehir (Milltown ), Deirdre Brennan (Claregalway ), Gillian Joyce (St Brendan's ), Charlotte Cooney (Claregalway ), Tracy Leonard (Corofin ), Mairead Coyne (Grainne Mhaoil's ) and Ger Conneally (Dunmore ). Subs:. Barbara Hannon (Dunmore ) (23mins ) for Claire Gibbons, Lisa Leonard (Corofin ) (45 mins ) for Gillian Joyce, Edel Concannon (Tuam Cortoon ) (50 mins ) for Mairead Coyne, Sarah Lynch (Leitirmore ), Sarah Conneally (Dunmore ) and Gillian O'Connor (Caherlistrane ).
