Leonard runs riot in league win over Monaghan

Galway 3-13

Monaghan 2-9

GALWAY finally kicked off their National Ladies Football League campaign last Sunday as goals from Tracey Leonard and Megan Glynn allowed them control the scoreboard against a Monaghan side with similar ambitions for the year.

Though the hosts were guilty of poor misses and conceding frees, the maroon and white still produced an admirable performance in dismal conditions to send an early warning about their intentions.

Galway were meant to commence 2016 last week before their opening outing against Tyrone was postponed, but the incessant rain blowing across Tuam Stadium wasn’t going to deny the Tribeswomen and they made the perfect start with a goal within 14 seconds.

From the throw-in, Glynn won possession and commenced a direct attack. Leonard took the ball before playing a one-two with her cousin Roisin before the new Galway captain finished to the net.

The Corofin cousins were a constant menace over the hour and finished with 2-9 between them.  Roisin sent over three pointsw, including one effort that could have got the opposing keeper off guard from a poor kick-out. While Tracey led by example continuing her award winning form from last year with 2-6. Indeed, all Galway’s 16 scores came from play as they showed the hunger to build on their 2015 season.

Fielding nine of the side that fell to Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-final, with Annette Clarke the most notable absentee, the hosts set about the task and built a 1-4 to 0-1 lead on 10 minutes.

After Ellen McCarron opened Monaghan’s account, confusion reigned over Galway’s opening white flag when Roisin Leonard split the posts. Referee Mel Kenny appeared to signal a free out that resulted in the score not being registered until half-time, but there was no dispute about the corner-forward’s second, sandwiched in between efforts from Tracey Leonard and Edel Concannon.

Despite the weather, both teams set out to attack which produced an entertaining tussle and Monaghan also played their part. Therese Scott forced a seventh minute save from Tina Hughes while at the other end, Concannon’s low shot from a Roisin Leonard delivery grazed the left hand post.

McCarron registered Monaghan’s second on 14 minutes but they were back in contention just past the quarter hour.  Eimear McAnespie appeared to be aiming for a point, but her attempt managed to drop inside the left corner deceiving Hughes and dropping over the line, making it 1-4 to 1-2.

Full match report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.