Galway ladies senior footballers take a rest from National League action this weekend before facing a crunch test against Mayo on March 6.
With two successive draws following their opening day loss to Donegal, Galway, with just two points, are some way off the leaders Monaghan and Donegal who both boast nine points.
However Gay O’Brien’s charges will have gained valuable experience after three consecutive away matches. Caitriona Cormican, Patricia Gleeson, Niamh Duggan and Una Carroll are expected to return to training in the next few weeks and will certainly boost Galway’s chances of moving up the table.
Last weekend they were forced to settle for a 0 - 13 to 2 - 7 draw away to Kildare in Ballykelly.
The swirling breeze made conditions difficult for both sides, and it was 11 minutes before Galway got off the mark when Dora Gorman pointed from play.
Galway dominated possession and territory for the next 10 minutes, but they failed to make it count on the scoreboard. Eventually, however, they found their rhythm in front of goal with points from Ann Marie McDonagh, Lorna Joyce, and Edel Concannon. A goal and a point from pivotal centre forward Dora Gorman put Galway in the ascendency at the break by 1-5 to 0-3.
The hosts started the second half brightly as Noelle Earley and Aine Gately began to exert their influence. Yet, Galway, playing against the elements, regained control. An Ann Marie McDonagh free and a well-taken Sinead Burke goal looked to have put Galway in the driving seat with 15 minutes remaining. However they failed to close out the game despite numerous chances and Kildare hit back, levelling matters with a Noelle Earley point on 59 minutes. Substitute Lucy Hannon looked to have given Galway all three points when she pointed on 60 minutes, but a last-minute Kildare free meant Galway left the Kildare venue with only a share of the spoils.
There were some very good performances yesterday for the Tribeswomen. Joanna Connolly was solid throughout in goal, the full back line of Sarah Noone, Emer Flaherty and Becky Walsh were tremendous throughout, Deirdre Lawless and Aoibheann Daly were excellent in midfield and Dora Gorman led the line up front superbly. Gay O’Brien’s charges will have learned a lot after three consecutive away matches and with the likes of Caitriona Cormican, Patricia Gleeson, Niamh Duggan and Una Carroll to return to training in the next few weeks Galway will no doubt start to pick up victories to put them in the shake up for a semi final spot in April.
Galway: J Connolly, S Noone, E Flaherty, B Walsh , G Conneeley, R Mc Philbin, N Lohan, D Lawless, A Daly, AM McDonagh, L Joyce, D Gorman, E Concannon, M Coyne, S Murphy. Subs, S Burke, M Brennan, L Hannon, T Leonard, L Leonard.
•Galway ladies football is hosting a table quiz in the Westwood Hotel in Galway on March 3. Tables of four cost €40.
