Galway do it the hard way after nightmare beginning

Donegal 4-5

AFTER conceding three goals in the opening quarter, Galway senior ladies footballers showed true grit and character to bounce back and claim a superb victory over Donegal in their third-round National League Division 1 game in Letterkenny on Sunday.

A tour de force around the middle of the park from Kilkerrin/Clonberne’s Olivia Divilly, along with a tally of 2-4 and 1-3 from the Leonard cousins, Tracey and Roisin, were crucial to the Tribeswomen’s recovery.

There were other performances that stood out. Centre-half back Charlotte Cooney and wing-back Leanne Coen drove on Galway from deep; Ailbhe Davoren, who looks to be getting up to speed now after a long-term injury, also showed well around the middle; and Dunmore MacHales duo, Sarah Conneally and Lucy Hannon, were also lively in attack.

Although still inexperienced at this level, emerging talent Andrea Trill and Lynsey Noone also worked hard for the cause. This tough battle will stand to them in further developing their skill set going forward.

After 15 minutes though, Galway looked to be in dire straits, trailing 3-1 to 1-2. Amy Boyle Carr, Nicole Gordon and Geraldine McLaughlin scored goals on seven, 11 and 14 minutes respectively as the visitors’ defence struggled to contain a buoyant Donegal attack.

Up front, Galway were also struggling to gain traction. Their two midfielders, Davoren and Divilly, kicked their only points in the opening quarter while their ninth-minute goal came from a Roisin Leonard 45 that squeezed through a crowded penalty area all the way to the Donegal net.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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