PREVIEW: Galway ladies footballers bidding to end 22-year wait for second All-Ireland title
THE Galway ladies footballers have come close to getting their hands on the Brendan Martin Cup in the last two seasons. The Tribesowmen came up short in the 2024 All-Ireland final against Kerry and last year they suffered a heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Dublin after extra time. Last year’s All-Ireland semi final defeat to Dublin appeared to be a real setback considering they were in control for large periods.
But this year, Galway came back with real intent, reaching the Division One league final. only to lose narrowly to Cork at the Gaelic Grounds.
Kerry went about their business impressively defeating Tipperary and Kildare during the group stages of the All-Ireland championship. The Munster side then cruised past Meath in the All-Ireland quarter-final.
Kerry captain Siofra O'Shea and Jadyn Lucey scored 2-9 between them for Mark Bourke’s side in their 2-16 to 1-9 win over Dublin in the semi-final and they will take some watching at Croke Park on Sunday (4:15pm).
Since their narrow victory over Mayo in the Connacht final, Galway have cruised into the All-Ireland final. Comprehensive victories over Meath (by 15 points), Tyrone (by 19) and Mayo (by 17) in the quarter-final underline just how dominant Daniel Moynihan's side have been. While they have yet to face a sustained challenge, those results also highlight Galway's clinical edge and ability to ruthlessly punish opponents.
However, the lack of competitive games on Galway’s run to the All-Ireland final isn’t something that concerns team manager Moynihan.
“I don’t think so. You might look at the scorelines and think they weren’t competitive games but it was the way we prepared and performed. Gradually, there has been improvements in our play from the group stages leading into the All-Ireland semi-final,” Moynihan told Tribune Sport.
“We felt that we played really good football against Armagh, and we negated a lot of their threats through a lot of hard work. If you spoke to any of the girls after the game, they weren’t running around full of energy, they put a huge amount of work into it, that’s only going to stand to us going into an All-Ireland final,” added Moynihan.
He is expecting a tough contest against the Kingdom in GAA headquarters on Sunday. The Ballinasloe native led the Galway minor ladies footballers to All-Ireland success in 2023 and he also previously managed the Kildare senior ladies football team.
“Kerry are big and strong, they’re a physical team, they have a huge level of experience. They got over the line two years ago as well which is also a big thing, they have their dangers, they have key footballers. Danielle O’Leary and Siofra O Shea in the full forward line. Mary O’Connell in midfield is a real powerful player, they have a lot of players with a lot of talent,” Moynihan said.
“They have that mix of youth and experience in their team, they have a lot of things going for themselves as well. Kerry will feel disappointed they didn’t get over the line last year and that drove them on getting to the final this year. It’s probably two teams that have a chip on their shoulders about last year going into the final.”
The Galway squad has reached an ideal stage in its development, with experienced leaders such as Sarah Ní Loingsigh (34), Roisin Leonard (32), Olivia Divilly (30), and sisters Nicola and Louise Ward (29) combining with an emerging younger generation.
Goalkeeper Leah O’Halloran has impressed in her breakout season, while the full back line of Ní Loingsigh, Bronagh Quinn and captain Geraghty stood out in Galway’s All-Ireland semi win over Armagh, holding the Ulster side to just 0-3 from play.
Throughout the season, Galway's half-back line of Hannah Noone, Nicola Ward and Ellen Power has been a key platform for success, consistently providing pace and drive from defence. Niamh Divilly has also enjoyed an outstanding campaign, with her relentless ability to get up and down the pitch causing problems for opponents all year, alongside her sister Siobhan. Her performances have gone from strength to strength over the course of the season.
Further up the field, Olivia Divilly, Kate Slevin and Kate Thompson have developed an excellent understanding, linking Galway's play with pace and precision. Inside them, the full-forward line of Eva Noone, Leanne Coen and Roisin Leonard has been a constant scoring threat, regularly troubling opposition defences with their movement, creativity and finishing ability.
Galway's panel also boasts a remarkable family connection, with four sets of sisters involved: Niamh, Siobhán and Olivia Divilly, Hannah, Eva and Lynsey Noone, Louise and Nicola Ward, and Chellene and Andrea Trill.
Aoife O'Rourke, Aisling Madden, Lynsey Noone, Aoife Molloy and Andrea Trill, all regular contributors during the league campaign, were not even called upon from the bench in the All-Ireland semi-final, highlighting the remarkable strength and depth within the Galway panel.
After a 22-year wait for the Brendan Martin Cup, Galway know the opportunity is there to end that drought. Kerry will provide the sternest test of their campaign, but Moynihan has struck an impressive balance between youth and experience, giving Galway every reason to believe they can finally capture a second All-Ireland title.