Galway ease past Meath in opening round of All-Ireland Ladies Football Championship
Galway 2-21 Meath 1-9 Despite a late change of venue and a delayed start, Galway’s ladies footballers got back into their rhythm in this All-Ireland senior championship opener played at Bective GAA, Co. Meath last Sunday.
Goals from Eva Noone and Róisín Leonard put the Tribeswomen in front after staying tight with their opponents against a strong wind during the first half. And with 12 second half points in addition, they showed no mercy to the Royals once they got into their groove.
This was Galway’s first outing in five weeks since beating Mayo in the Connacht Final. And that wait was nearly extended by another six days, to this Saturday’s home fixture against Tyrone (Tuam Stadium, 2pm) when the original venue Stamullen was ruled out that morning.A water issue meant a change to the Bective club just outside Navan.
But when referee Maggie Farrelly declared the line markings, and the surface near one of the goal areas, wasn’t up to standard, things moved quickly to avoid a postponement.Enter club chairperson Paddy McConnell with arguably the quickest use of a paint roller in Gaelic games history. With two volunteers ensuring the goal area was supplied with sand, a 20-minute delay from the original 2pm throw-in was all that was needed.
Galway came in as strong favourites following their Division 1 League Final appearance and Connacht championship success. But despite starting with only seven players who fielded in Croke Park last August, Meath were still 2025 All-Ireland finalists and couldn’t be discounted.
The stiff wind favoured the Royals and they started with determination. Captain Niamh Gallogly, one of just four survivors from their All-Ireland successes in 2021 and 2022, kicked two scores by the sixth minute, the second a two-pointer making it 0-3 to 0-0.
Galway were getting possession but found the elements difficult and were punished for errors. However, the girls in maroon did reduce arrears with Leanne Coen opening her account and Olivia Divilly converting a free.On 11 minutes, Orla Finnegan pounced for Meath’s goal after Rachel Casserly intercepted a Galway kickout.
But Galway stayed in touch through points for Divilly, Ward and Leonard.And it remained a one-point ball game as Meath efforts from Casserly, Ciara Smyth and Emma Duggan were cancelled out by Divilly, Leonard and Coen.Galway, minus the injured Louise Ward, were starting to find gaps and Ellen Power forced a save from Robyn Murray on 21 minutes.
Divilly’s free levelled at 0-9 to 1-6 at half-time but Smyth and substitute Meadhbh Byrne restored Meath’s two-point advantage two minutes after the break.The game turned when Slevin pointed, following a Murray save on 34 minutes.
Within three minutes, Galway got the two goals. Leonard and Slevin set up Eva Noone to rattle the net 60 seconds later; and Hannah Noone sprinted up the field to pick out Leonard for the other.Kate Thompson, Leonard, Coen and Divilly made it 2-14 to 1-8 before Slevin forced another Murray stop. The resulting ’45, worth two points in ladies football, was converted by Leonard. Hannah Noone, Coen (3) and Divilly completed Galway’s tally against a Duggan free.Best for Galway were half backs Hannah Noone, Nicola Ward and Power; along with midfielders Niamh and Siobhán Divilly, along with Olivia Divilly, Slevin, Coen and Leonard in attack.
Galway: L O’Halloran; B Quinn, S Ní Loingsigh, K Geraghty; H Noone (0-1), N Ward (0-1), E Power; N Divilly, S Divilly; O Divilly (0-6, 3f), K Slevin (0-1), K Thompson (0-1); E Noone (1-0), L Coen (0-6), R Leonard (1-5, 1tp45).
Subs: R Quinn for B Quinn (51), L Noone for Thompson (54), S Healy for Ní Loingsigh (54), S McGovern for Leonard (56), A O’Rourke for Slevin (56).
Meath: R Murray; A Farrell, Á Sheridan, A Gaffney; O Sheehy, O Gore, Ó Smith; S Murphy, N Gallogly (0-3, 1tp); L Woods, E Duggan (0-2, 2f), M Thynne; C Smyth (0-2), O Finnegan (1-0), R Casserly (0-1).
Subs: M Byrne (0-1) for Finnegan (HT), K Bermingham for Smith (HT), O Mallon for Casserly (42), C Lawlor for Murphy (50), A Reilly for Thynne (50).
Referee: M Farrelly (Cavan)