As everyone thought going into this game there was going to be nothing between these two sides when the final whistle went, and there literally was nothing, as they could not be separated at the end of a pulsating encounter that finished level on a score of 5-17 to 6-14 in Ballyhanuis. The sides will meet again this Sunday in the same venue at 2pm, with extra time and the potential of a point scoring shoot-out to follow if it is still level, and after these sides combined for a total of 11-31 last time out the smart money might be on just that outcome.
Cora Staunton's tally of 4-13 (1-10 form play ) has been the main talking point all week as the Mayo legend showed her class once more - but the Galway champions showed their fighting spirit coming back from two points down in injury time to force the replay. They also showed they know where the target is with the like of Annette Clarke who bagged 2-4, Louise Ward who hit 2-1, Olivia Daly who went home with half a dozen points, and Lyndsey Noone and Nicola Ward both grabbing goals over the course of the weekend.
There were plenty of fireworks and top class performances last weekend and this Sunday's replay we will expect no different. Carnacon had the play for the majority of the second half without Claire Egan who was shown a straight red card in the early stages of the terminal half, and if they had the full complement they would have probably expected to hold on for victory. Carnacon will be hoping that Staunton can continue her heroics again this Sunday, with Fiona McHale, Doirean Hughes, Amy Dowling, Maire Corbett, Martha Carter and Sharon McGing also putting in big showings in the replay.
