The Galway Ladies junior team faced a much-fancied Cork in the Aisling McGing Tournament at St Coleman's Gort on Sunday, having suffered a heavy defeat from the Leesiders last year. However the two sides produced a ding-dong battle from the start, and despite the odds, produced a worthy performance to share the spoils.
Galway had the breeze and were first on the score board with a pointed free from Michelle Burke. After about seven minutes Cork's Grace Kearney struck for goal. Although Gillian O'Connor responded with a point for Galway, Cork then hit a purple patch with a goal and a point to give them a two-goal advantage against the wind. The Galway management introduced a sub Emma Curley at centre field and made a few other positional changes. Curley’s experience and football skill steadied the ship and in the 10 minutes to half time Galway scored a goal from Becky Walsh and two points from Michelle Burke to reduce the deficit to 2-3 to 1-4.
With the aid of the strong wind, Cork opened the scoring in the second half with a point. However Michelle Burke grabbed two points from frees before Cork struck for three unanswered points. Critically when Galway replacement Eimear Flatley scored a goal and Gillian O'Connor added a point the two sides were level. Michelle Burke then put Galway in front with a point and a victory was on the cards. However Cork scored the final point to ensure a draw.
Galway: Mary Kate Killilea, Niàmh Ryan, Niamh Connaughton, Cliona Dillon, Aoife Hyland, Sarah Lynch, Siobhan Divilly, Marian Murray, Becky Walsh, Karen Keane, Gillian O'Connor, Joyce Fahy, Michelle Burke, Noreen Breathnach, Rena Houlihan, Katlyn Quinn, Orla Seagrave, Emma Curley (for Joyce Fahy ) Mellissa Casserley ( for Karen Keane ), Eimear Flattely (for Cliona Dillon ), and Ann Marie Flanagan (for Noreen Breathnach ).
The Galway u-14s, u-16s, and minors were also in action during the week. The u-16s enjoyed a big win over Sligo and now advance to the Connacht final, while the u-14s also produced a 6- 16 to 3 - 4 victory over Roscommon.
In Padraig Pearses grounds the minors also did battle with Roscommon, and this was a much tougher game than the score line suggested. At half time it was 3-5 to1-7 in favour of Galway. In the second half Galway lifted their game, adding another 2-10.
