Galway ladies have no answer to Staunton

Mayo 3-20

Galway 0-16

HAVING seen Galway lift the Connacht title the last four years in succession surely provided Mayo with ample motivation going into last Sunday’s provincial final, and they duly brought the Tribeswomen’s winning sequence to an abrupt halt in Castlebar.

There has generally been a cyclical nature to meetings between Galway and Mayo across both codes down through the years, and it was Mayo’s turn to get one of their near rivals in 2016. Following a clinical team performance, especially in the second half, Mayo captain Sarah Tierney lifted the ‘CBE Cup’ for the 10th time, and there could be no arguments from a Galway perspective over the final result.

Galway’s inter-county season will continue in the Qualifiers at the end of the month for the first time since 2011. One win in that though, and they are into an All-Ireland quarter-final, where they could possibly face Dublin, so it is not all doom and gloom for Willie Ward’s squad despite the comprehensive fashion of Sunday’s 13-point loss.

Galway had led on three occasions in the first half, and although they eventually trailed by four at the break, with the wind at their backs, they had reduced the deficit to the minimum four minutes upon the resumption, but had no answer to Mayo’s direct running and powerful finishing thereafter. When you have a player like Cora Staunton in your side, anything is possible, and the Carnacon player was Mayo’s scorer extraordinaire in chief once again.

Staunton hit Galway for 2-14, 2-9 coming from play, and the Galway full-back line could do little to stop her with no sweeper in front of them. Some of the scores she took were exceptional, and whenever she does retire, Staunton will go down as probably the greatest ladies Gaelic footballer to lace a pair of boots.

Even when Staunton erred, as she did in sending a 40th minute penalty straight down the throat of Johanna Connolly, she immediately regained her composure to slot home the rebound. Four minutes later, Staunton rounded the Galway keeper for her second goal and Mayo led 2-16 to 0-12. As a meaningful contest, the game was done.

Staunton has often carried Mayo to victory herself during her illustrious career, but on Sunday she had a number of able lieutenants in green and red. Sarah Tierney, whose mother hails from Dunmore, marshalled her defence excellently. Marie Corbett, Fiona McHale and Aileen Gilroy in particular carried the ball strongly all afternoon, while Niamh Kelly was very lively in the full-forward line.

Sligo referee John Niland handed out three yellow cards during the match, two to Galway and one to Mayo. Leona Ryder was the first to be sin binned, with Galway defenders Fabienne Cooney and Sarah Gormally following suit. Mayo made Galway hurt substantially more on the scoreboard during the time they were a player up. They scored six points in the time Cooney was off the pitch before the break, and 2-2 when Gormally was sent from the fray during the second period.

Full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune.