Sports
Gleeson lands late winner in thrilling ladies showdown
Galway 0-21
Mayo 1-17
SEAN RICE
IN the dying minutes of a thriller, Galway snatched victory with a late, late point by Patricia Gleeson. It was a close shave. For much of the second half on Sunday their Connacht crown wobbled uncertainly under the weight of Mayo’s determined challenge at MacHale Park.
In the end, though, they stole over the line, and greater all-round skill and unflagging confidence were their chief weapons. It was riveting stuff. Galway, bidding for their fourth successive Connacht title, exhibited greater finesse and teamwork and for a lot of the first quarter threatened to engulf the outsiders in fast breaks and attacking flair. You could understand why they were clear favourites.
Everywhere they seemed in control, polished and well organised; everywhere, that is, except wherever Mayo’s Cora Staunton roamed. Almost alone, the Mayo virtuoso was the only threat to Galway’s title. Of their total, the incomparable Mayo woman scored an awesome 1-15, eight of the points from frees.
She was the driving force of Mayo’s recovery in the second quarter inspiring a persistent, combined team effort that helped reduce Galway’s six-points lead to two and perhaps forced the champions re-evaluate the strength of their rivals.
In the end, however, there was no denying the superior package of skills displayed by the Tribeswomen. The efficiency with which they heaped up seven points to Mayo’s one inside the opening 12 minutes reflected their status as one of the top teams in the country.
Breaking fast from defence, Barbara Hannon, Nicola Ward and Sinead Burke were the source of many of the scores carved out by Roisin Leonard, Olivia Divilly and gifted full forward Tracey Leonard.
Unlike Mayo’s dependence on Cora Staunton, Galway¹s strengths were evenly distributed, all capable of scoring, all working selflessly for one another.
Midfielder Annette Clarke reeled in three of those early points, all of the from frees, the other four were divided among Maria Hoey, Tracey Leonard, Caitriona Leonard and Louise Ward. Nothing Mayo did could stem the tide.
Then as if they had sniffed a little weakness in the defence, the challengers came alive. Rachel Kearns tested Johanna Connolly in the Galway goal with a low shot. Staunton set up the move and the redoubtable star followed up with four points without reply. Another shot from her rebounded off a post.
The battle had begun to even out somewhat. Mayo’s tireless Fiona McHale, Fiona Doherty and the excellent Aileen Gilroy won breaking ball around midfield. All were putting their backs fully into the work as Staunton exchanged points with Tracey Leonard, and Annette Clarke. So by half time, the champs were in front by 0-11 to 0-9 and the massacre predicted by many had not yet materialised.
Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Galway 3-18
Cork 1-10
NEW setting; new opposition; new challenge. It made no difference to the Galway minor hurlers as they chalked up a remarkable sixth consecutive double digits championship victory at Semple Stadium on Saturday.
The final scoreline in Thurles may have been a little harsh on Cork, but there was no doubting Galway’s overall superiority in setting up only a second-ever All-Ireland showdown against Clare at the same venue on Sunday week.
Having claimed an historic Leinster title the previous weekend, Galway took a while to get going against the Rebels and also endured their first period in a match in which they were heavily outscored, but still the boys in maroon roll on.
Beating a decent Cork outfit by 14 points sums up how formidable Galway are. No team has managed to lay a glove on them so far, and though Clare might ask them questions other challengers haven’t, they are going to have to find significant improvement on their semi-final win over 14-man Kilkenny to pull off a final upset.
Galway just aren’t winning their matches; they are overpowering the teams which have stood in their way. Their level of consistency is admirable for young players starting off on the inter-county journey, while the team’s temperament appears to be bombproof, no matter what is thrown at them.
Having romped through Leinster, Galway should have been a bit rattled by being only level (0-4 each) after 20 minutes and being a little fortunate not to have been behind; or when Cork stormed out of the blocks at the start of the second half by hitting 1-4 to just a solitary point in reply, but there was never any trace of panic in their ranks.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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GALWAY United need to guard against any kind of complacency when they make the short hop down the M18 this Friday to take on Treaty United at the Markets Field (7.45pm).
The game is a meeting of the two form teams in the division, and as in previous meetings between the sides, will have an additional edge given the number of former United players in the home side’s ranks, and the pair of Limerick lads playing for United.
There might have been just the eight meetings between the sides since Treaty became the latest iteration to represent Limerick in the League of Ireland in 2021, and while United have yet to lose to the men in the candy-cane strips, there has never been more than a goal in four of their eight wins.
The most recent of those was back in February, when Rob Slevin scored the only goal of the game in Eamonn Deacy Park after a tough battle against a side who made a slow start to the season, before finally finding their groove in the past month.
Having taken just three points from their first six games before finally getting a win against Longford Town, they reverted to type with just one point from their next three games, but are now on a run of four wins on the spin, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one.
Their most recent win was a 3-0 victory away to Longford Town last Saturday, and they could have won by double that against the only side to have beaten United this season. That in itself is a warning.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty
While the Salthill Devon men’s team might have lost their grip on the Connacht Junior Cup that they held for two seasons, the club’s women’s side have picked up the mantle and on Sunday last in Headford were crowned provincial champions with a 4-3 win over Manulla.
Following midweek wins for Maree/Oranmore and Knocknacarra, the stage is now almost set for the semi-finals of the Michael Byrne Cup with Salthill Devon meeting St Bernard’s on Sunday in an outstanding quarter-final, with the winners advancing to a semi-final against Maree/Oranmore, while Colga will face Knocknacarra in the other last four contest.
Just one league issue remains to be decided, with the Championship runners-up position up for grabs, as Dynamo Blues have to win their two remaining games in order to overtake Colemanstown United who have finished their programme.
WOMEN’S CONNACHT CUP FINAL
Salthill Devon 4
Manulla 3
Ellerose O’Flaherty scored twice as Salthill Devon were crowned provincial champions with a win over a Mayo side who were losing in the final for the second year in succession.
Backboned by a number of players who previously had League of Ireland experience with Galway WFC, Devon suffered an early set back when Jess Nolan put Manulla ahead, before O’Flaherty levelled matters with a cracking finish on 20 minutes, which was quickly followed by a long-range free-kick from Aoife Walsh.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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