By DARREN KELLY

FOR the fourth time in six seasons, Galway will meet Mayo in the All-Ireland senior ladies football championship on Saturday (Pearse Stadium, 1:30pm) when they face off in the quarter-final.

The Tribeswomen picked up an impressive 5-11 to 0-12 victory at this stage in 2018, before shading their provincial rivals in a 2-10 to 2-9 semi-final victory at Croke Park the following year.  ayo had the last laugh in 2021 when they beat Galway 1-15 to 1-11 in the quarter-final.

It’s the sides’ third meeting of 2023. Galway shaded the league encounter in March (0-13 to 2-6) on their way to the final, but when the teams met in the Connacht Final in May, it was Mayo winning a first crown since 2016 by 3-13 to 2-9.

That concluded a desperate run of three defeats for the maroon and white who conceded 11 goals (including eight in two losses to Kerry). But their fortunes have turned around since.

It was safe to assume that Galway were rank outsiders against Munster champions Cork four weeks ago but an overall impressive display, led by two Ailbhe Davoren goals and player of the match Nicola Ward, gave them a 3-11 to 1-11 win in Pearse Stadium.

And after a 4-10 to 3-4 victory in Tipperary, the Fiona Wynne and Maghnus Breathnach managed team were group winners earning a home quarter-final against their fierce rivals.

They made five changes for the Cork game (through injuries and tactical) to yield the desired impact and stuck with the same starting 15 in Templetuohy. While only Charlotte Cooney (hamstring) remains out, any amendments to the team selection are expected to be minimal.

Karen Connolly produced two quality saves against Cork, while the defensive spine is secured by captain Sarah Ní Loingsigh and Ward. Kate Geraghty, Aoife Ni Cheallaigh, Aoife Molloy and Shauna Brennan filled the wide positions.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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