Galway's ladies footballers wait for a Division One title continues
A late snatch and grab from Cork saw the Galway senior ladies’ footballers denied a first ever National League Division 1 title on Saturday evening in Limerick, writes Eanna O'Reilly.
Although Daniel Moynihan’s charges dominated the majority of this contest, the concession of two late goals undid their efforts late in the game.
When Nicola Ward tallied Galway’s ninth score to put them four points ahead with 11 minutes of normal time remaining, the Tribeswomen looked to be in a good position.
Despite playing against a strong second half wind, Galway had only allowed their opponents to add three points to their first half total. At that stage, Moynihan’s charges certainly looked capable of keeping Cork at arm’s length.
The last ten minutes, however, will leave the Tribeswomen with major regrets. The concession of 2-3 without reply, including two avoidable goals, saw the momentum slip away from the westerners. Cork took full advantage to secure their 13th Division 1 league title.
The first half began with two Galway points during the opening ten minutes, coming from Kilkerrin-Clonberne sisters Niamh and Siobhán Divilly. Cork’s Emma Cleary opened the Leesiders account at the other end.
With the aid of a strong wind, Galway dominated the next ten minutes, scoring three consecutive points. The Connacht champions looked capable of opening up the Cork defence, and Kate Slevin pointed from close range, when a goal chance appeared to be on.
A minute later, Lynsey Noone took a neat score from a tight angle to make it 0-4 to 0-1. Galway were dominating possession and effectively building attacks. A strong run and pass from Hannah Noone set up her sister Eva, who sent over a point from 30 yards.
Cork’s Amy Corcoran soon tallied their second point, but Galway replied within a minute when Niamh Divilly pointed after a strong run through the centre. Slevin soon had her second; a well struck effort from 35 yards, after some good work from Kate Geraghty.
Shortly before half-time, Nicola Ward had a shot on goal saved by Cork ‘keeper Caoimhe Richmond. A five point interval lead looked healthy for Galway as they turned to face the wind for the second half.
Eva Noone extended their lead early in the second half, after a good run and pass from Olivia Divilly. However, Cork soon began to get on top. The strength of the elements was significant, as Galway began to struggle on their own kickout.
Two Cork points from Katie Quirke and Aoife Healy reduced the margin, before the Leesiders had a goal chance. Rachel O’Regan got inside the Galway defence before having her low shot smothered by Leah O’Halloran.
Quirke pointed a close range free midway through the second half, to make it 0-8 to 0-5. Galway soon found their feet again and began to generate some attacks of their own. One involving Olivia Divilly and Leanne Coen resulted in a trademark point for Nicola Ward.
Áine Terry-O’Sullivan reduced the margin with a Cork point, but Galway’s defence looked capable of weathering the storm. That was, until Quirke got onto a ball which the Tribeswomen should have cleared, the full forward fired a shot over her shoulder to the roof of the net.
Four minutes later, O’Regan managed to get inside the Galway defence before fisting a ball over O’Halloran’s head. The ball appeared to cross the line before the inrushing Chellene Trill got a touch, but the umpires adjudged that the Galway defender had forced it over the line.
Galway were left stunned by the concession of the two goals, and Cork added two late points through Quirke and O’Sullivan to seal the league title for the Leesiders.
It was a very disappointing outcome for the Tribeswomen, who appeared to have a great chance of securing their first Division 1 title before a poor finish undermined them.
Galway’s sights will now turn to the Connacht championship and last year's All-Ireland semi-finalists will have to heed the lessons of Saturday’s deflating defeat if they are to emulate the county’s pioneering team of 2004.
Galway: L. O’Halloran; R. Quinn, S. Ní Loingsigh, K. Geraghty; H. Noone, N. Ward, B. Quinn; N. Divilly (0-2), S. Divilly (0-1); O. Divilly, K. Slevin (0-2), L. Noone (0-1); E. Noone (0-2), L. Coen, A. Trill. Subs: L. Ward for L. Noone (43), C. Trill for R. Quinn (50), A. O’Rourke for Geraghty (51), R. Leonard for E. Noone (53).
Cork: C. Richmond; M. Duggan, D. Kiniry, S. Kelly; A. Corcoran (0-1), S. McGoldrick, R. Corkery; A. Healy (0-1), A. O’Mahony; R. Leahy, G. Murphy, E. Cleary (0-1); A. O’Sullivan (0-2), K. Quirke (1-3, 0-1 free), L. Hallihan. Subs: M. O’Callaghan for Murphy (HT), R. O’Regan (1-0) for Hallihan (36), A. Ring for Cleary (52).
Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow).