The Galway senior ladies footballers successfully defended their Connacht senior football championship crown with a 1-12 to 1-08 victory over Mayo in Tuam Stadium on Sunday.
Tracey Leonard was Galway’s scorer in chief as she notched a personal tally of 0-06, three coming from placed balls, to earn herself the player of the match award.
Joint managers Magnus Breathnach and Fiona Wynne also received a serious impact from their bench as Kilkerrin-Clonberne’s Lynsey Noone contributed 1-01 in the second half to ensure Galway’s victory.
Galway were the stronger team throughout. Leading by 0-7 to 0-2 at half-time, they were full merit for their win. Corner forward Andrea Trill also contributed two points from play, while Ailish Morrissey, Lara Finnegan and Shauna Molloy each also raised a white flag.
Galway’s captain Sarah Ní Loingsigh was presented with the cup after the match and will be hoping that another will come later in the summer as this group of players look set to challenge Meath and Dublin for All-Ireland glory.
Scorers – Galway: T Leonard 0-6 (3f ), L Noone 1-1, A Trill 0-2, A Morrissey 0-1, L Finnegan 0-1, S Molloy 0-1.
Scorers – Mayo: S Howley 0-4 (4f ), L Cafferky 1-0, C Needham 0-1, T Needham 0-1, T O’Connor 0-1, S Cafferky 0-1.
Galway: A Griffin; K Geraghty, S Ni Loingsigh, E Gavin; C Cooney, N Ward, S Molloy; A Davoren, L Ward; L Coen, T Leonard, L Finnegan; O Divilly, A Morrissey, a Trill. Subs used: L Noone for Finnegan (38 ), H Noone for Cooney (38 ), E Noone for Morrissey (47 ), K Slevin for Trill (47 ), S Divilly for Davoren (52 ).
Mayo: A Tarpey; E Ronayne, D Caldwell, S Lally; C Needham, F McHale, K Sullivan; S Cafferky, A Geraghty; S Howley, T O’Connor, S Mulvihill; S Walsh, C Whyte, L Cafferky. Subs used: T Needham for Mulvihill (35 ), R Kearns for Whyte (42 ), N McVann for O’Connor (54 ).
Referee: Gus Chapman (Sligo )
Galway Minors
The Galway minor footballers suffered their first defeat of this year’s Connacht minor championship which is played in a round robin format.
The Tribesmen were well beaten by a superior Mayo side by1-15 to 0-04 in Tuam Stadium on Friday evening. The result means that instead of going directly to a Connacht final, Galway will now face Leitrim in a Connacht semi-final tomorrow, which will be played in Páirc Seán MacDiarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon with throw-in commencing at 7pm.
Alan Glynn’s side will be firm favourites to win this game after their convincing victories in the round robin series, despite their late blip to Mayo. Joint captain Éanna Monaghan of Claregalway has been most impressive so far for Galway. He has produced a tally of 2-13 to date, and he will be looking to add to it again on Friday.
Football Leagues
Round 6 of the Galway 3Dental Football Leagues will take place over the coming weekend. In Division 1 it is Corofin and Tuam Stars leading the way at the top of the table with both sides having four wins from five games to date.
The last round actually saw the top two clash, with Corofin coming out on top with a five point victory over their rivals.
This weekend Corofin take on An Cheathrú Rua, while Tuam Stars face St Michael's at home as they vie for top spot.
A semi-final place is all but confirmed for those two, while Annaghdown, St Michael’s and Killannin appear best placed to grab the other two available slots.
Meanwhile in the 3Denal division 2 football league, there is also a full set of fixtures this weekend. Claregalway will play Salthill-Knocknacarra on Friday evening with the seasiders yet to claim a victory under new manager John O’Mahony.
Oileáin Árann play Caherlistrane Saturday afternoon in Inis Óirr, which is followed early Sunday afternoon by the clashes of Moycullen and St James in Moycullen, while the local derby of Barna and An Spideal will be hosted by An Spideal.
