Galway 0-11

Donegal 0-6

By Ivan Smyth at Tuam Stadium

KATE Slevin’s six point tally proved enough for Galway to start their LIDL Ladies National Football League campaign with a deserved win over Donegal at Tuam Stadium on Saturday.

After two Susanne White frees drew Donegal level at 0-6 apiece as the game ticked into the final quarter, Galway, who appeared the likelier side to win up to that stage without unduly troubling the scoreboard, now looked in danger of defeat.

However, Slevin seized the initiative as she kicked the final five points of the contest with one of those coming from the penalty spot after the returning Megan Glynn was upended. This helped secure Galway’s first league win over Donegal in three years. Glynn came off the bench at half time in her first competitive appearance in a Galway jersey in 17 months.

The Claregalway woman needed time to adjust to the pace of the contest but it was noticeable as the game progressed that she was at the forefront of Galway’s positive moments up front. Lynsey Noone was the only Kilkerrin/Clonberne representative to start this contest with Chloe Miskell introduced in the final quarter.

Galway’s bench made a telling impact with Tracey Leonard bringing a measure of calm to the attack upon her introduction to proceedings. It was obvious though that Galway missed the powerful runs from deep the Ward twins, Louise and Nicola, provide with Olivia Divilly also a loss up front.

Still, Galway got the job done as they restricted a Donegal side who lacked attacking guile to just two points from open play over the hour. Galway frequently placed 14 players inside their own ‘45m line as time and again Donegal ran the ball in to cul de sacs and were subsequently overturned.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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