Galway left reeling by early goal blitz from title holders

Dublin 4-8

Galway  1-10

GALWAY’S first appearance in an All-Ireland senior ladies football semi-final since 2014 didn’t go to plan at Hyde Park last Saturday as Dublin gave a telling reminder why they are currently the top team.

Before the Tribeswomen settled, the reigning All-Ireland champions had pierced their net three times in the first 21 minutes as Galway took too long to get to the pace of the game.

Much was mentioned about Nicole Owens’ late goal in the league semi-final, but the St. Sylvesters’ attacker took just four minutes this time to rattle the net. And having being kept quiet twice already this year, Sinead Aherne exacted payback with 2-4 to leave Galway with a mountain to climb.

When Lyndsey Davey got the fourth goal on the three-quarter mark, the Tribeswomens’ misery was complete. But they did respond in the second half, outscoring their opponents and were eventually rewarded with Olivia Divilly’s 50th minute goal.

While Dublin were raging hot favourites, there was belief among the maroon and white faithful that a shock could be on. Galway were the only team to beat Dublin all year and should have done so twice until Owens rescued Mick Bohan’s team in April.

And she picked up where she left off, taking possession before striking a fierce shot leaving Lisa Murphy no chance for the game’s first goal. It was a blow for Galway but they didn’t panic and after Louise Ward and Aine McDonagh won the foul, Tracey Leonard converted a free to leave it 1-0 to 0-1 on six minutes.

But after doing all the right things in their quarter-final win over Mayo, old bad habits resurfaced in Galway’s play as the occasion looked to be getting the better of them.

With both teams attacking, tracking back off the ball was essential and Dublin were much quicker at that. And even though some individual man marking match ups looked spot on, Galway’s defence seemed to lose their shape with many players finding themselves out of position.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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