Galway suffered their first loss in division one of the Tesco National Football League when champions Cork edged this round four contest at Mourneabbey on Sunday.
The one-point victory, Cork 1-14 to Galway 3-7, ensured the current All Ireland champions have taken the top spot on the league table, with Galway suffering their first loss of the campaign.
Smarting from their unexpected loss to Monaghan in round three, Cork came out of the blocks quickly and raced into a three-point to one lead.
However in the 20th minute Tracey Leonard produced the first big moment of the match as she goaled for the visitors to nudge them into the lead.
Cork responded with points coming from Ciara O’Sullivan, Geraldine O’Flynn and the excellent Eimear Scally, but Galway showed their character to respond with points from the always dangerous Leonard and Annette Clarke with the last score of the half, to hold a slender one-point lead.
The second half was a drama filled exhibition between these two sides. Edel Concannon grabbed the next big score of the match as she netted again for Galway to edge them further in front. However, the other form forward in the league, Cork’s Grace Kearney, scored a goal in reply to push the champions one point ahead again.
Valerie Mulcahy added two pointed frees in a game that was nip and tuck. Galway hit the front again when Tracey Leonard struck another goal for the Tribes, but Cork would not be denied as Eamonn Ryan made use of his bench and substitute Aine O’Sullivan put Cork back on terms. Then fellow sub Rhona Ní Bhuachalla stepped up to slot over what was the winning point in an absorbing contest.
