Galway senior ladies footballers look to maintain upward trend

Galway senior ladies footballers have been forced into one change from the side that claimed provincial honours in early July for their All-Ireland quarter-final clash against Monaghan in Birr this Saturday (2.15pm), with wing-back Rebecca McPhilbin sidelined through injury.

St Brendan’s defender McPhilbin, one of Galway’s main targets for kick-outs in the 1-16 to 1-12 victory over Mayo in the Connacht final, chipped a bone in her ankle in a challenge match recently, ruling her out for this pivotal tie.

Her position will be filled by Glenamaddy/Williamstown’s Noelle Connolly.

Other than that, Galway will line out the same with experienced goalkeeper Johanna Connolly retaining the No. 1 jersey and Nicola Ward – fresh from her All-Ireland winning exploits with the county’s minors – Maireád Coyne and Orla Dixon occupying the full-back berths.

Along with Noelle Connolly, Emer Flaherty and captain Sinead Burke complete the half-back line with two wily competitors in Annette Clarke and Ger Conneally renewing what has proven to be a solid midfield partnership.

Up front, the attack has a strong mixture of ball winners and finishers. Aoibheann Daly, Caitriona Cormican and Barbara Hannon – Galway’s top ball handler in the offensive lines against Mayo – are players who are not only able to win their own possession, but they can put up scores as well.

Indeed, this line was hugely influential last time out in the number of plays they made and a collective return of 1-5 underlined that these are players of real quality. Inside, the line is ably led by Lorna Joyce, with Lucy Hannon and Louise Ward two very dynamic corner forwards.

The strength of this Galway outfit though is characterised by their bench. On any given day, Tina Hughes, Sarah Conneally, Edel Concannon, Maedhbh Maloney, Tracey Leonard and Gillian O’Connor, among others, could easily feature in the starting line-up.

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