Galway ladies footballers on guard for derby tie with Mayo
GALWAY have finally arrived at the knockout stages of this year’s All-Ireland senior ladies football championship and old rivals Mayo await them when their quarter-final throws-in at Tuam Stadium on Sunday (5.45pm).
It’s only nine weeks since a highly charged Connacht Final where the Tribeswomen held off a late revival from the green and red to emerge 1-11 to 0-11 victors, before beating Meath (2-21 to 1-9) and Tyrone (4-20 to 2-7) to secure a home tie in the final eight.
On paper, this looks straight forward for Daniel Moynihan’s charges who competed in the Division 1 league final this spring and secured a third straight provincial crown. And they are also chasing a third consecutive All-Ireland semi-final appearance.
In contrast, Mayo failed to qualify from the group stages in 2025, needing to fight off relegation. And they didn’t manage to gain promotion from Division 2 despite former All-Ireland winner Diane O’Hora succeeding Liam McHale in the bainisteoir’s bib.
They also haven’t beaten Galway in the championship in three years but that’s exactly where the flashing lights highlight danger. This is the third time these two counties have met this decade at this stage, and Mayo are two without loss.
Mayo went down 3-12 to 0-12 to Dublin in their All-Ireland series opener but suffered serious injuries to Ella Brennan (ACL) and Fiona McHale (calf).
Their main starting team sees eight changes from 2025 compared to the win against Donegal (1-15 to 2-6) two weeks ago. Saoirse Lally is the latest to defect to Australian Rules with St. Kilda’s.
That being said, the Cafferky sisters (Lisa and Sinéad) have returned, sharing 1-12 in their three championship outings. Along with Sinéad Walsh (0-10) and Aoife Staunton (0-8), they’ll lead the attack with Maria Reilly, another returnee, and Clodagh Keane also expected to start.
Aoife Geraghty and Tara Needham form a solid midfield unit while Sherrin El Masry and Lynda Hanley are flanked by Lucy Wallace, Meabh Delaney and Hannah Reape, who had a late red card against Galway rescinded, in defence. Laura Brennan provides experience between the sticks.
Following their two impressive second half displays since the Connacht Final, Galway will hope they’ve corrected the final quarter collapses that proved costly against Cork in the league final, and nearly against Mayo.
They are All-Ireland favourites with the bookmakers (6/4), despite not having claimed the Brendan Martin Cup since 2004. But Galway’s squad have maintained their focus with each challenge even though they know their season will be defined from here on.
Louise Ward missed the last two games through injury and will be assessed before Sunday while they’ve also being without the Trills (Chellene and Andrea). Galway still have used 23 players over the last month.
2023 All-Ireland minor winning goalkeeper Leah O’Halloran has established herself as Galway’s number one and is ably covered by a full back line of Bronagh Quinn, Sarah Ní Loingsigh and captain Kate Geraghty.
Hannah Noone and Nicola Ward bring the attacking threat from half back while Maigh Cuilinn’s Ellen Power has slotted in well on the left wing. Sisters Niamh and Siobhán Divilly provide the perfect mix in midfield.
Olivia Divilly (2-12), Róisín Leonard (2-11) and Leanne Coen (1-12) have been devastating in attack, complimented by a superb half forward trio of Eva Noone, Kate Slevin and Kate Thompson. Lynsey Noone and Aoife O’Rourke should also see game time.
None of the Galway squad will discount their opponents as 14 played in that quarter-final loss in 2023. It’s seven years since Galway last beat Mayo in the All-Ireland championship when Leonard’s late free delivered a 2-10 to 2-9 semi-final win in Croke Park.
Goals will be critical and Mayo have only scored one in their three outings. With Galway having scored seven, along with an average of over 17 points, O’Hora’s group will need to ensure the Cafferkys gain multiple major opportunities if they are to produce a shock.
Quinn and Geraghty will likely be deployed to deal with that threat while it’ll be interesting to see if Walsh stays at centre forward to take on Nicola Ward. However, Mayo’s biggest problem is Brennan’s absence, especially with Slevin enjoying her new role as centre forward conductor.
It’s a day when Galway must be ruthless, especially with Mayo expected to provide a more physical approach. And if on form, they have the artillery to ensure this derby results in the desired result.