Galway ladies footballers on guard against Westmeath

GALWAY ladies football manager Barry Downey believes complacency will not be an issue ahead of his charges National League (Division 2) decider – their third in as many years – when they take on Westmeath at Parnell Park on Saturday (2pm).

Having already accounted for this weekend’s opposition on a 3-13 to 2-6 scoreline in the group phase, Galway ladies footballers have been seriously impressive in their League run to date, scoring on average 4-14 per game and conceding on average 1-6. Indeed, in four of their eight games, they didn’t concede a single goal.

Consequently, Galway are overwhelming favourites to secure the precious promotion spot that has eluded them in recent seasons and while Downey admits complacency is always a fear, he implicitly trusts his players to get the job done.

“We feared there might be a bit of complacency coming into the semi-final [against Meath] but the girls showed real maturity, drive and desire,” says Downey. “This game for me would represent the same type of challenge, although obviously it is a greater one because Westmeath have earned the right to get into the final.

“The semi-final was always a banana skin and the girls proved the point that there was no complacency. That is probably the big difference from this time last year. They have upped it a level. While the opposition might not have always been the greatest in Division 2, this group of girls have brought their own level of intensity and that is why we have won by such big margins in each of the games.”

Having defeated Meath 7-13 to 1-8 in the group stages, the Tribeswomen handed out a similar thrashing in the semi-final on a 3-23 to 0-11 scoreline. Again the forward division was to the fore, with Roisin Leonard leading the way with 1-6 (0-3 frees). Annette Clarke and Caitriona Cormican also chipped in with 1-4 and 1-3 respectively.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.