Galway ladies stay on track for league semi-finals

March 23rd, 6:00am March 22nd, 7:16am

Darren Kelly

Connacht Tribune

Galway 3-6

Kerry 1-10

TWO goals in a minute displayed Galway’s growing belief as they secured their fourth win in the Ladies National Football League.

With that, Stephen Glennon’s charges effectively booked their place in the semi-finals.  Standing joint top with Cork on 12 points, one more will guarantee it but results elsewhere should confirm their status.

Two Roisin Leonard goals and an Ailbhe Davoren strike gave Galway the initiative against a Kerry outfit seeking their third consecutive win. With the home side trailing 1-8 to 1-4 early in the second half, both players pounced in quick succession to regain control and avenge their league loss last year.

Furthermore, Tracey Leonard’s return from a 13 month lay-off after a cruciate injury was a welcome sight for Galway supporters. The ace attacker only played a few minutes but her arrival strengthens thev twem’s deck.

This performance wasn’t without its faults. Galway are still struggling with their kick out strategy; the maroon and white were guilty of openly handing play back to their opponents on occasions; and some of their shooting left a lot to be desired.  Three goals will be crucial in any game, but six points will hardly win championship matches.

It was the visitors who made the brighter start. Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh was a thorn in the Galway defence and nearly made a massive impact rattling the post after three minutes.

The three-time All-Star did open the scoring in the sixth minute before turning provider for Megan O’Connell. And in a total of 62 seconds, a poor kick out landed in Amanda Brosnan’s hand before Sarah Houlihan made it 0-3 to 0-0.

Galway started to settle and Aine McDonagh picked out Roisin Leonard who split the posts for their opener, but their second score on 10 minutes was the Connacht side’s first statement of intent.

McDonagh was playmaker again with Davoren and Mairead Seoighe causing constantproblems on the left flank. They worked the pass into the unmarked Roisin Leonard who found the net and Galway led 1-1 to 0-3.

The home team were willing to attack but what was most interesting was they didn’t do it at the expense of their defence. The Tribeswomen held their shape around the half back line and didn’t panic when Kerry were in the ascendancy.