Galway senior ladies will play Donegal in Pearse Park in Longford at 2.15pm on Saturday in the hope of reaching their first National Football League final since 2015.
Having beaten Donegal by nine points in the final round of the league two weeks ago, the ladies will be full of confidence heading into this rematch on Saturday afternoon.
A league final against one of the two powerhouses of ladies football over the last decade awaits the winners, and having been in five finals without winning one, Galway will be hoping to end that run if they can overcome Donegal again this season.
In recent years the league has been a strong indicator of how teams will fare in the championship. The league champions have contested eight of the last 10 All-Ireland finals. And reaching a league final will do Galway’s championship ambitions no harm as they will contest one more competitive game before their Connacht final against Mayo.
In their last match against Donegal the Tribeswomen dominated in almost every area of the field. With the scoring power that Galway have from all six of their starting forwards, a good platform is a necessity. With the Kilkerrin/Clonberne pairing of Louise Ward and Lisa Gannon winning their battles in midfield, it will ensure Galway are predominantly on the front foot.
This will have a huge impact on the game, ensuring forwards are getting (and taking ) opportunities. It also means the defence is not continuously under pressure and has the energy to make the tackles and come forward with the ball when needed.
Having conceded an average of just over 10 points a game in the league, Galway have the second tightest defence, conceding just two points more than Cork. This mean defence has allowed Galway's attack to play the game more freely, knowing a few missed efforts will not cost them the game.
This Galway team is well balanced, and one that has clearly put in the work. To reach the league final will do wonders for an already confident team, and if they can perform the way they did in the previous game against Donegal, then this Galway team has every chance of making it there.
Club league round-up
Tuam and Mountbellew/Moylough both continued their 100 per cent starts to this year's league with wins over Salthill/Knocknacarra and Caherlistrane respectively. Milltown gained a hard fought win over St Michael's, while Killanin hammered Corofinon a scoreline of 1-16 to 1-6.
Division 2: Oranmore/Maree 3-14 An Ceathru Rua 3-11, Kilconly 3-8 Cortoon Shamrocks 0-7, Claregalway 1-12 St James 0-8
Division 3:Headford 1-12 Monivea/Abbey 0-6, Kilkerrin Clonberne 1-13 Clonbur 0-7, Dunmore Mchales 1-12 Michael Breathnachs 0-8, Corofin 2-12 Menlough 3-5
