Galway frighten the life out of champs in defiant show

Meath 1-12

Galway 1-11

Eanna O’Reilly at O’Connor Park

A last-minute point from Emma Duggan snatched victory for defending champions Meath against a gallant Galway outfit in the All-Ireland Ladies Football quarter-final in Tullamore on Saturday.

With 15 seconds left on the clock, the contest appeared destined for extra-time, when Duggan launched a speculative effort from the right wing, which dropped onto the crossbar above Alannah Griffin’s head. The ball hopped over the bar, as the bounce went in Meath’s favour, to decide a gripping contest from which Galway were unfortunate not to get anything after a trojan effort.

The outcome was very harsh on a Galway side which showed tremendous spirit against the All-Ireland champions, and had fougbht back to draw level by the 57th minute. It was an excellent performance from Maghnus Breathnach and Fiona Wynne’s side, who refused to buckle under pressure in the second half. When the Royals went five points clear with ten minutes to play, there appeared to be little hope for the Tribeswomen.

However, Galway battled back with 1-2 to level the contest, inspired by a tremendous goal from Eva Noone. This score typified some of the excellent attacking play Galway produced on occasions, as they worked the ball through the hands of Tracey Leonard, Olivia and Siobhán Divilly, before Noone was on hand to blast to the net.

Three minutes later, Róisín Leonard kicked the equaliser for Galway, and extra time looked on the cards in Tullamore. A late chance for Leonard went narrowly wide before Duggan held her nerve at the other end. Galway certainly died with their boots on in O’Connor Park, and the defending champions were visibly relieved the get over the line by the narrowest of margins.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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