Talented Galway girls too powerful for the Lilywhites
Published:
-
-
Author: Our Reporter
~ 2 minutes read
From this week's Galway City Tribune
Galway 3-11
Kildare 1-8
By Kevin Egan at Pearse Park
THERE may be lingering disappointment all around Galway at the county’s failure to secure a place in Sunday’s All-Ireland treble header at Croke Park, but the future prospects of the Tribeswomen received a huge shot in the arm last Saturday when Daniel Moynihan’s minors produced a performance that featured both defensive resolve and attacking innovation, crucial ingredients in their comprehensive win over Kildare.
While tradition certainly favoured the Connacht champions – this was Galway’s 11th final in the last 20 renewals of this competition, while Kildare were competing in their first ever final at this grade – the absence of any U-16 formline, allied to some eye-catching results for the Lilywhites en route to this final, suggested that Galway were in for a tricky outing here.
In the first quarter, that was exactly how it transpired. With a strong wind blowing into their faces, attacking play into the northern, scoreboard end of the ground proved very difficult for Galway, with the ‘scoring zone’ restricted to a distance of no more than 20 metres from the goal.
At the other end of the pitch, the full back line – brilliantly anchored by Maryanne Jordan – did well to protect Leah O’Halloran’s goal, but Kildare were able to pick off scores from Mayah Doyle, Niamh Farrelly and Sarah McGovern.
The restart after McGovern’s point was pounced upon by wing forward Aoife Murnane, who drove at the Galway goal and held off a tackle before firing the ball inside O’Halloran’s near post, and when Leah McGovern added another point from the next attack, Galway were under immense pressure and taking on water.
If this was an American sport, Moynihan would have been screaming for a timeout at this stage, but to the immense credit of his players, they worked things out on the fly and were able to make the adjustments needed to put themselves in a very different position by half-time.
Pictured: Galway’s Kate Thompson of Galway on the attack against Heidi Lyons of Kildare during the All-Ireland Ladies Football Minor A Final at Pearse Park, Longford on Saturday. Photos: Ben McShane/Sportsfile.
More like this:
Galway County Council must hire ecologists during the dredging of rivers
Ecologists must be hired by Galway County Council before and during dredging works on local river...
Glowing tributes paid to popular PP as he steps down after 32 years of ministry
A rural Galway community is planning a number of celebrations to mark the retirement of their bel...
Water Safety Ireland condemns vandalism of lifesaving ringbuoys in Galway
Water Safety Ireland has strongly condemned the recent act of vandalism involving the deliberate ...
Gerry King is elected new Cathaoirleach of Connemara District
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMFianna Fail Councillor Gerry King has been elected as...
Nighttime water restrictions on Inis Oírr remain in effect
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMCustomers on Inis Oirr are being reminded by Uisce Éi...
ATU Galway students develop sports coaching app to replace tactics boards
Three students from the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Galway, who developed a new ap...
Galway symposium honours legacy of pioneering veterinary surgeon Aleen Cust
Former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness is one of the key speakers at this year’s annual ...
East Galway pupils have to cross busy road for sports
An urgent call has been made for improved safety measures at an East Galway primary school where ...
Galway Fishery to close due to high water temperatures
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMGalway Fishery on the Corrib River is to be closed to...