Glennon’s charges swing into National League action against Mayo
FOWLOWING the disappointment of 2016, Galway’s ladies begin the New Year with a baptism of fire on Sunday when they travel to take on Mayo in Swinford (2pm) in the opening game of the National Football League.
It’s safe to say that the Tribeswomen’s two encounters with their provincial opponents had a major bearing on their fortunes last year as a resurgent Mayo put themselves back in the national title picture.
Frank Browne’s side edged a close encounter in Tuam in the league with Cora Staunton getting four late scores after 14 minutes of added time. That loss proved costly for Galway as they missed semi-final qualification on scoring difference.
It didn’t get any better come the championship as Galway relinquished their Connacht title after a 3-20 to 0-14 defeat in Castlebar before going agonisingly out in the qualifiers to Donegal following Yvonne McMonagle’s late winning free.
Galway are under new management this year with Stephen Glennon taking the reins. The former Craughwell senior hurling manager was a surprise choice initially, but has made a bright start with two wins securing the Connacht winter league.
Including a 7-10 to 0-9 win over Sunday’s opponents and a final victory against Sligo, Glennon was able run the rule over some new panel additions while also welcoming back experienced campaigners ahead of the spring series.
“It was great (winning the Winter League) and we used that competition to get a lot of players up to speed,” said Glennon who led Craughwell to the county hurling final in 2015. “We have four of last year’s minors – Chelsey Blade, Aine McDonagh, Ailbhe Davoren and Eimear O’Kane. It was great to give them game time and it’s embedded them into the set-up as well.
“You have the two Hannons, Barbara and Lucy. You have Sinead Burke, Emer Flaherty, the two Conneallys, Sarah and Geraldine, and a number of others. And please God, later on in the year, Tracy Leonard will make her way back from her cruciate injury.”
Leonard’s injury occurred during that league meeting with Mayo 11 months ago, and she was a massive loss for Galway. But along with the aforementioned names, a 30 plus strong panel will head into their Division one campaign with confidence.
Dearbhla Gower in goal, Sarah Conneally, Charlotte Cooney, Shauna Hynes, Mairead Seoighe and Roisin Leonard were instrumental in January while the Kilkerrin/Clonberne pair Lisa Gannon and Olivia Divilly will be expected to play a major part.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.