Galway ladies footballers reach All-Ireland final after win over Armagh
THE GALWAY senior ladies footballers have progressed into the All-Ireland final for the first time since 2024 after a 0-21 to 0-8 victory over Armagh in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, County Longford on Saturday afternoon.
Galway are back in the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final after comfortably seeing off Armagh to move one step closer to ending their wait for the Brendan Martin Cup.
Having fallen at the semi-final stage to Dublin last year, Daniel Moynihan's side produced a dominant display to book their place in the decider. Galway were in control throughout and looked a class above their opponents, finishing with 10 different scorers in a convincing 13-point victory while restricting Armagh to just three points from play over the 60 minutes.
The Tribeswomen made the perfect start as sisters Eva and Hannah Noone split the posts to establish an early advantage. Aimee Mackin responded with a free in the 13th minute to leave the minimum between the sides.
Galway quickly took command. Two points from Leanne Coen, along with scores from Niamh Divilly and Kate Slevin, stretched the lead to 0-6 to 0-1 after 18 minutes. Kelly Mallon converted Armagh's second free of the half, but Olivia Divilly restored Galway's five-point cushion. It took Armagh 29 minutes to register their first point from play, with Aimee Mackin finally finding the target as Galway's defence continued to dominate.
Galway finished the opening period in style, with Olivia Divilly and Kate Thompson adding late points to send Moynihan's side into the dressing room with a commanding 0-10 to 0-3 lead.
Armagh goalkeeper Brianna Mathers prevented the margin from growing further at the start of the second half, producing fine saves to deny Nicola Ward and Kate Slevin.
However, Galway never loosened their grip on the contest. Leanne Coen, Niamh Divilly and a Roisin Leonard 45 pushed the lead to 0-14 to 0-4 by the 44th minute. Although Mackin replied with another free, Galway continued to dictate proceedings, outscoring the Orchard County 0-7 to 0-3 in the closing stages.
Substitute Shauna Hynes made an instant impact, firing over four points after her introduction, while Nicola Ward, Olivia Divilly and Eva Noone also added late scores to complete an impressive victory. Armagh captain Lauren McConville registered two late consolation points as Galway cruised to a comprehensive victory.
GALWAY: Olivia Divilly (0-4, 0-2f), Shauna Hynes 0-4, Leanne Coen 0-3, Roisin Leonard (0-2, 0-1 45), Niamh Divilly and Eva Noone 0-2 each, Kate Thompson, Nicola Ward, Kate Slevin and Hannah Noone 0-1 each
ARMAGH: Aimee Mackin (0-4, 0-3f), Kelly Mallon (0-2, 0-2f), Lauren McConville 0-2.
GALWAY: Leah O’Halloran, Bronagh Quinn, Sarah Lynch, Kate Geraghty; Hannah Noone, Nicola Ward, Ellen Power; Niamh Divilly, Siobhan Divilly; Olivia Divilly, Kate Slevin, Kate Thompson; Eva Noone, Leanne Coen, Roisin Leonard.
SUBS: Louise Ward for Siobhan Divilly (44), Shauna Hynes for Leonard (46), Chellene Trill for Power (50), Riona Quinn for Lynch (55), Sophie Healy for Bronagh Quinn (58)
ARMAGH: Brianna Mathers; Alana Donnelly, Clodagh McCambridge, Cait Towe; Emily Druse, Lauren McConville, Grace Ferguson; Blaithin Mackin, Christina O’Reilly; Lara Marsden, Aoife McCoy, Catherine Marley; Aimee Mackin, Caroline O’Hanlon, Kelly Mallon.
SUBS: Cassie Henderson for O’Reilly (21), Roisin Mulligan for Marsden (27), Caoimhe McNally for Mallon (44), Erin Melanophy for Marley (50, injury), Niamh Reel for O’Hanlon (55).
REFEREE: Angela Gallagher (Meath).