Daniel Moynihan rung the changes as his Galway Ladies side were defeated 2-12 to 0-10 away to Waterford last Sunday in their final fixture before the LIDL NFL Division 1 final on April 11.
Moynihan made seven changes to the team that swept Dublin aside a fortnight ago. Goalie Leah O'Halloran, Nicola Ward, Ellen Power, Siobhan Divilly, Kate Slevin, Olivia Divilly, Andrea Trill, and Leanne Coen retained their places in the starting XV.
Kate Geraghty returned to the line-up and captained the side. Aoife Molloy and Katelyn Mee completed a fully-changed full-back line. Sophie Healy lined out in the half-back line and Aisling Martin partnered her clubmate in the middle of the park. Olivia Divilly dropped into the half-forward line for Eva Noone to complete the full-forward line, while Aoife O'Rourke started at wing-forward.
With the Tribeswomen's place in the league final already confirmed, rotating the side was expected. Moynihan confirmed that Sunday's game was an opportunity for players to stake a claim for a place in the starting team for next weekend's final.
"We made quite a few changes," said the Galway manager post-match, "we were hoping to see players put their hands up for a spot in the league final.
"That was the aim of today, a free shot for the players and the subs that we brought on."
Eva Noone slotted back into fray seamlessly as Galway's top scorer, shooting 0-4. Encouragingly for Galway, the scoring was well spread with Olivia Divilly notching up 0-2 and Andrea Trill, Aoife O'Rourke, Aoife Molloy, Leanne Coen, Niamh Divilly, and Siun McGovern all on the scoresheet with 0-1 each.
Defeat is always disappointing, but having the opportunity to see fringe players in action and reintegrate returning players will stand Galway in good stead going into the final against Cork and beyond into the All-Ireland campaign.
Galway have shown plenty of signs that a deep All-Ireland run is within their capabilities. Victory over Cork, and silverware will only feed that appetite for success.
