Mayo 0-10

Galway 1-6

By DARREN KELLY AT PEARSE STADIUM

THIS result will hurt Galway. The county’s ladies footballers became the third maroon and white senior team in as many weeks to crash out of their respective All-Ireland senior championship last Saturday as Shauna Howley’s late fisted point gave Mayo a one-point quarter-final victory.

The winning score, with 20 seconds remaining, came when Galway were in possession before an errant pass. Ciara Needham stormed into space looking to seal the winner herself only for the best efforts of Bronagh Quinn. But she found Howley who popped the ball just over the crossbar.

A similar situation happened before half-time. Another loose ball, this time taken by Aoife Geraghty. She kicked into Tara Needham who did the rest to give Mayo a 0-6 to 1-2 interval advantage. Two scores that swung a one-point game!

And the reality is Galway can only blame themselves. There was no Emma Duggan wonder point for Meath, no scheduling crisis while en route, no Cork master class or superior opposition having a better day. This game was within the Tribeswomen’s grasp and they let it slip.

One doesn’t want to kick a team when they’re down and post-match, the Galway players showed remarkable composure and professionalism to pose for photos and sign autographs with the young children who cheered them on and created a championship worthy atmosphere.

Some fought back tears to ensure the future stars got their dream moment. This Galway team are still young enough to bounce back but this defeat was avoidable against their arch rivals.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.