The Galway & Distict League Ladies continued their blistering form at the weekend when comfortably overcoming Dundalk in their FAI Cup second round clash.
The current FAI Senior Cup holders are now due to meet Benfica LFC Waterford in the quarter-finals, which are sceduled to take place on the week ending September 7. However this clashes with the Galway’s participation in the EUFA Cup, and as a result their quarter-final could be brought forward to August 24.
The UEFA Women’s Cup takes place in Bosnia–Herzegovina on September 4, 6, and 9 when Galway take on the champions of Belarus, Switzerland, and the host nation, having qualified after defeating Raheny United 1-0 in last year’s cup decider, courtesy of a goal from Irish international Niamh Fahy from the penalty spot.
Fahy is no longer available to Galway having joined Arsenal Ladies - last year’s premiership winners. The 20-years-old Galway star, who has seven senior Irish caps, is one of three new signings at the London club
“Niamh (Fahy ) is a huge loss to our squad, but am delighted that Emer (Flatley ) slotted so easily in there today,” said manager Stephen Lally, “and what about Kara’s hat-trick. I am very happy with the win and getting through to the quarter-final was our primary objective. I am pleased overall and we can now focus our EUFA Cup games in early September.”
The weekend’s result against Dundalk will be a big boost for the Galway side ahead of those tough EUFA matches. Galway played composed football from the start, and with Meabh de Burca and Ruth Fahy dominating the midfield exchanges, they asserted themselves from the start.
Deirdre Connell on the right wing and Julie-Ann Russell on the left gave the team great width, and there was no surprise when after 16 minutes Russell skipped by a couple of defenders before crossing an inch perfect pass that Kara Mullins finished to the back of the net with ease.
Galway’s back four of Becky Walsh, Annette Clarke, Aine Hannon, and Emer Flatley were in total control, although they did not add to their tally until a few minutes before the break. Susie Cunningham, who gave the Dundalk defence a torrid time, was fouled on the edge of the box, with Mullins curling the free kick around the wall and into the bottom corner of the net.
The second half was more of the same with Galway in control. Keeper Melissa Casserly, although dealing comfortably with everything that came her way, was never threatened, while the introduction of Paula Kelly, Heather Duffy, and Lucy Hannon added momentum to the Galway cause. Hannon had a number of opportunities to put her name on the scoresheet, but in the end settled for an assist in the last goal which was again finished with some style by the impressive Kara Mullins.
Galway & District Ladies: Melissa Casserly, Aine Hannon, Becky Walsh, Annette Clarke, Emer Flatley, Julie-Ann Russsel, Ruth Fahy, Meadbh De Burca (capt ), Deirdre Connell, Kara Mullins, Susie Cunningham. Subs; Lucy Hannon, Aoife Burke, Paula Kelly, Heather Duffy, Tara Gavin, Tina Hughes, Theresa Fahy, Anna McCormack, Jessica McSweeney.
