Kerry 5-11

Galway 1-10

Ivan Smyth at Croke Park

GALWAY ladies footballers’ wait for a first NFL Division 1 crown continues as they were swept aside by a terrific Kerry side at Croke Park on Saturday.

The Tribeswomen were second best in every facet of the contest. Galway did actually start the better of the two sides as they kicked the opening score of the game through Leanne Coen inside 17 seconds. However, that was as good as it got for Galway on a day when too many of their big players simply didn’t produce.

Kerry produced some sublime passages of play with their final goal right out of the top drawer in what was a terrific team move. The problem from a Galway perspective is that all the other four majors were avoidable with unforced errors throughout the field plaguing this display.

The Kingdom outscored Galway by 2-7 to no score from the 19th to the 43rd minute as they sapped the Westerners’ belief. This moved Kerry 4-10 to 0-4 in front and ensured the Munster side would lift the NFL Division 1 title for the first time since 1991.

The way Galway fell apart is a huge concern heading into the Connacht final with Mayo next month. A response against the old enemy is simply a must even though the game is really only relevant in deciding the groupings for the All-Ireland series. This is a defeat that could derail Galway’s season, which up until last Saturday had looked hugely positive. A big few weeks lies in store!

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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