Galway 3-11

Cork 1-11

GALWAY’S senior ladies footballers left their recent woes behind them last Saturday as a historic first senior championship victory over Cork set them up for a potential All-Ireland quarter-final back in Salthill or Tuam Stadium next month.

They still have to ensure no slip ups when they travel to Tipperary on Sunday (Templetuohy, 2pm), but after two below-par displays in finals against Kerry and Mayo, this was the tonic the maroon and white needed.

Many felt Galway would struggle with an in-form Cork who’d gone seven competitive games unbeaten, including picking up a Munster crown. And while their dual player issues (losing two to camogie duty) didn’t help, they still were fancied to leave Salthill with the points.

But the Tribeswomen heeded lessons from their last three outings where they conceded 11 goals. The display wasn’t without fault and lapses of concentration midway during the first half saw 1-2 conceded to their opponents before getting back into their rhythm.

However, how Galway responded to setbacks was testament to the work put in over the previous six weeks since their Connacht Final reversal. And along with five changes, positional switches and perfectly timed substitutions got them the maximum reward.

Ailbhe Davoren’s positioning at full forward looked like a temporary move but the Maigh Cuilinn star finished with two goals. And while the removal of Roisin Leonard was questionable on 41 minutes, her replacement Kate Slevin took the baton firmly, kicking 1-3.

It was the team’s first summer clash since 2020 though they did play an enthralling 1-15 to 4-4 league contest at the same venue in February. Galway prevailed that day but it was Cork who opened the scoring on four minutes with a Doireann O’Sullivan free.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.