It’s a cakewalk for Galway in mis-match against the Deise

Waterford 0-5

EXACTLY how beneficial this fixture was for Galway’s senior ladies football team probably won’t be clear until the quarter-finals on August 12, but manager Stephen Glennon won’t be complaining as his charges easily dealt with the Waterford challenge.

First half goals for Leanne Coen, Roisin Leonard and Ailbhe Davoren left no doubt about the winners as the Deise were condemned to the relegation play-offs following their second defeat. For Galway, they meet Westmeath this Saturday at Duggan Park (2pm) to decide the Group Three winners.

While the Tribeswomen’s focus will be on the Midlanders, they can’t deny that one eye will be on events in Dr. Hyde Park when Dublin and Mayo meet in an All-Ireland final repeat. The winners of Galway’s game face the losers of Mayo’s match. A formidable test awaits in three weeks time.

But after going seven weeks without competitive action before exiting to Cork in 2017, Galway were delighted to nearly half that gap from their Connacht championship success this time around. And should they keep winning, they’ll see action at least once a fortnight before stamping a Croke Park ticket.

This performance wasn’t without fault and the maroon and white couldn’t hide their rustiness in the first quarter. Waterford, sickened from a one-point loss to Westmeath, should have been good enough to challenge Galway but never really threatened the Westerners.

Tracey Leonard got Galway’s first point inside 20 seconds and she went on to kick two further frees by the eighth minute. They led 0-3 to 0-0 but were given chances to put the game away and Aine McDonagh should have done better when put through in the fifth minute.

Katie Murray finished off a three-player move for Waterford’s first score on 10 minutes but they carved open Galway’s defence and should have tested Lisa Murphy. They paid the price as Galway weren’t as generous.

It was surprising that McDonagh and Ailbhe Davoren didn’t swap roles as the latter stayed in midfield, but looked as comfortable as her Moycullen clubmate in setting up the first Galway’s goal on 12 minutes.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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