Galway senior ladies footballers must step up a gear as they enter the All-Ireland series and a quarter-final fixture against Kerry on Saturday.
The two sides meet at 4.15pm in Banagher, Co Offaly and with an All-Ireland semi-final at stake, this is expected to be Galway’s toughest challenge yet.
Galway enter the series as Connacht champions, having comfortably disposed of Sligo by 3 - 11 to 0 - 7. However Gay O’Brien knows his side will not have it so easy on Saturday, and as a result preparations have been intensified, knowing they must raise their game significantly.
O’Brien’s hand has been strengthened with the return of Aine Gilmore, Sarah Noone, Caitriona Cormican and Dora Gorman, while Julie-Ann Russell remains sidelined with injury.
Once again Galway will be looking towards defensive lynchpin Emer Flaherty and the ever reliable Rebecca Mc Philbin to halt Kerry’s attacking best, while Patricia Gleeson remains a key figure in midfield. O’Brien will look to Lorna Joyce and Una Carroll up front, aided by Sinead Burke who is showing her best form yet in a Galway jersey.
Galway have enjoyed a solid year to date, having advanced to the league final which they lost to Cork. Consistency and confidence has been a key element in their success to date, and they should possess the determination to progress, having fallen at the same hurdle as last year after a one-point defeat to Monaghan.
Galway enjoyed a 1 - 10 to 1 - 9 victory over Kerry in the opening round of NFL in February, and although Kerry did not enjoy a successful run in the league this year, they have been steadily building up momentum in the qualifiers.
They were forced to survive a late Mayo comeback to win their first match of the year in round one of the qualifiers in which Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh top scored, before disposing of Armagh in round two by 1 - 19 to 2 - 7.
Physical in defence, they also boast a strong midfield partnership of Bernie Breen and Laura Scanlon, and possess scoring threats in Mags O'Donoghue, Patrice Dennehy and Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh who will take some minding from the Galway backs.
Having played two qualifying rounds, Kerry have the momentum, but Galway possess talent, tenacity, and experience - sufficient to advance if they play to potential.
