An interesting TG4 All Ireland Ladies Football Championship continues with Monday’s Bank Holiday meeting at McHale Park (1.45pm ) involving Mayo and Galway set to provide further drama.
Mayo, inspired by the dynamic Rachel Kearns, finished strongly when the teams collided in the league and a similarly exciting encounter beckons.
“It is a renewal of the league match we had in the very first round of the league,” Galway manager Gerry Fahy says. “Mayo got the edge that day in Castlebar, we are really looking forward to it, we know we face a serious, serious challenge at the weekend.”
In the Championship Galway advanced from an awkward group beating Kerry and Donegal. The manner of the Donegal success, when Galway pounced to land vital scores in the third quarter, pleased Fahy.
“At half-time we knew we had created quite a few chances, we just hadn't executed them all,” Fahy adds.
“So we knew we needed to tidy up that department. Of course we got a great start to the second half, you couldn't really script that, but it happened.
“Thankfully it happened in our favour, it gave us a great injection. The confidence grew in the team then, they really worked hard for each other in that second half.”
Opportunities have been afforded to promising young footballers with Fahy encouraged with how they are adapting.
“What is particularly good from our point of view is that the younger players are getting experience playing at this level,” Fahy says. “The longer that goes on, obviously the better. We have a relatively young squad, young players coming through, and to give them the platform to perform at that level.
“As a new management we threw the net wide. Thankfully we have unearthed players. Unfortunately from the Donegal game, Sophie Healy, who would be in that bracket from Dunmore, a really, really exciting prospect, unfortunately she has picked up a serious injury so she is out.
“That is unfortunate for her because herself, Laura Ahern, Eva Noone, Kate Slevin, Ellen Power - this is a great chance for them to play at this level.”
A knockout match between Mayo and Galway will always supply intrigue and Fahy accepts it should be as lively as the league tussle.
“I hope it is, but I hope there is a slightly different result at the end in our favour this time, I don't mind entertaining people, but I would like to win it, we might pass up on the entertainment this time if we can get over the line,” Fahy laughs. “I appreciate it was a good game the last day, people were very excited about what they saw.”
