Galway ladies footballers head to Croke Park on Saturday with high hopes of claiming this season's Lidl Ladies' National Football League division one crown.
Making their return to Croke Park, they have carved a great opportunity to capture silverware, having been runners-up on six occasions.
They will face Kerry, the 2022 division two champions, who are competing in their first division one decider since 2008. They have a huge incentive as a win would see them crowned division one champions for the first time since 1991, and their 12th top-flight title.
Back in a division one final for the first time since 2019, Galway, however, have their own ambitions, but they will need to be in top form, having lost to Kerry in their final league fixture by 0-17 to 3-11. On that occasion two goals from Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh helped Kerry lead by 2-5 to 0-8 at the interval, with Hannah O’Donoghue scoring their third goal after the restart before they held off a spirited Galway rally.
It was Galway's only defeat of the campaign, coming in round seven, so both sides will know what to expect on Sunday.
Galway also drew Meath 0-9, but came away with a one-point win over Mayo 2-6 to 0-13, a five-point win over Waterford, a 1-15 to 4-4 victory over Cork, and a solid 1-13 to 0-7 win over Dublin, having opened in January with a 0-11 to 0-6 win over Donegal.
Kerry are proficient up front, having scored 11 goals in their campaign - three of those against Galway and finishing top of the table with 18 points. However, Galway's defence has been most effective this season - conceding 75 points - their opponents 97.
It has been a solid season for Galway under managers Magnus Breathnach and Fionna Wynne, which ensures this final should be a hotly contested, and Galway LGFA is asking every club and upporter to support the team in Croke Park on Saturday.
The division one final, which will throw in at 5pm, will be preceded by the division 2 decider between Armagh, the 2022 runners-up, and Laois, with this game fixed for 3pm. Both games are live on TG4.
Tickets will be available to purchase through the following link:https://ladiesgaelic.ie/
Galway: K Slevin, R Leonard, E Noone, O Divilly, L Ward, L Coen, S Divilly, A Davoren, A Molloy, N Ward, C Cooney, E Gavin, S Ni Loingsigh (cpt ), K Geraghty, A Griffin. Substitutes, K Connolly, C Trill, M Seoighe, B Quinn, A O'Rourke, L Noone, H Noone, A Ni Cheallaigh, C Miskill, T Leonard, D Keane, C Cleary, J Burke, S Brennan, L Booth.
