Galway quick out of blocks in booking semi-final place

Waterford 1-12

By DARREN KELLY AT TUAM STADIUM

MAKING little of the fact that they hadn’t faced top tier opposition during 13 previous victories this year, Galway’s senior ladies footballers hit the ground running last Saturday to book a place against Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final.

It’ll be a repeat of last year’s epic quarter-final where Aoife O’Rourke’s winning goal gave the girls in maroon an extra time victory. They’ll clash again on Saturday week (July 19) in Tullamore at 7.30pm.

Daniel Moynihan’s group will be full of confidence following this quarter-final dispatching of Waterford. The performance wasn’t without fault but at no stage did the hosts ever look in danger of losing.

The Deise had impressed in 2025 finishing third in Division 1, only a late goal denied them a first Munster title in 23 years, and they should have beaten Dublin in the group stages only for a late equaliser. Tomás Mac a t’Saoir’s team have made progress but will rue their first half performance.

Even though they’d faced both Cork and Mayo twice this year already, this fixture was always going to be Galway’s litmus test as the championship entered the business end. And the Connacht champions looked up for it from the very first ball.

Louise Ward set up Eva Noone for the opening score inside 45 seconds. The latter delivered a tour de force performance scoring 0-2 in total but was directly involved in 1-8.

The second white flag was also started and finished in Kilkerrin-Clonberne. Nicola Ward advanced and supplied Olivia Divilly for the score. Divilly contributed 0-5 from play and also created major scores.

Two of those came by the fifth minute as the 2024 All-Star found Ailbhe Davoren out left for Galway’s third point. And then Divilly won a free allowing Kate Slevin put four between them.

It could have been better on 10 minutes when Chellene Trill was gifted a glorious chance but blasted wide. It wouldn’t take long for Galway to finally make the breakthrough and it was a testament to their work rate.

Even though Waterford were playing second fiddle, they were probing. Bríd McMaugh dropped one teasing ball into the square, while Bronagh Quinn required a touch to breakdown another move.

Pictured: Galway's Hannah Noone breaking out of defence against Aileen Wall of Waterford during Saturday's All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football quarter-final at Tuam Stadium. Photos: Joe O'Shaughnessy.