Heartache for Conneally and company in ladies football replay

Cork 0-14

Galway 1-10

IT was a heartbreaking finish last Sunday in the National Ladies Football League Final as two late Cork points following a Geraldine Conneally sin binning gave the Rebelettes their third consecutive crown.

Leading 1-10 to 0-12 with nine minutes remaining, the Galway captain was unfortunate to see yellow following a challenge before Valerie Mulcahy and Rena Buckley overturned the deficit.

A sequel that delivered like the drawn contest, both teams took the game to their opponents and despite their loss, the Tribeswomen will take much from two duels with the All-Ireland champions ahead of the Connacht final against Mayo on July 12.

Galway opened the scoring with a Tracey Leonard free in the first minute but the Corofin full forward was going to have a tougher afternoon. Former footballer of the year Geraldine O’Flynn was employed in a marking role following Leonard’s scoring feats the last day, while Roisin O’Sullivan at centre back covered the zone in front to limit the supply.

At the other end, Cork attacked in waves with Brid Stack and Briege Corkery prominent but it took a Mulcahy free to open their account in the sixth minute. However, Eamon Ryan’s team added three in as many minutes with Mulcahy and Buckley pointing from play before Mulcahy won another free. She duly converted and Cork led 0-4 to 0-1.

Galway had made some positional changes with Nicola Ward on the wing, and Annette Clarke and Conneally in advanced roles. However, it took Kevin Reidy’s side time to find their rhythm but Leonard did convert in the 11th minute.

At the other end, Aisling Hutchings was standing out for Cork and she turned for a point within 60 seconds before doubling her tally on the quarter hour. The slight wind in O’Moore Park seemed to favour Galway but Cork led by 0-6 to 0-2.

Eventually, the maroon and white worked their way back and Edel Concannon finished off a patient move for a point. Clarke followed suit in the 17th minute when she received the supply from Barbara Hannon and Louise Ward to leave two between them.

Cork responded through a Mulcahy free but Hannon cancelled that score before making a bigger impact in the 26th minute.  Galway’s work rate couldn’t be faulted and as they grew more influential, Hannon and Ward started the move that saw Patricia Gleeson receive possession on the right. The recently returned attacker had to do some work, but shook off the defenders before striking the roof of the net to leave Galway leading by 1-5 to 0-7.

Full match report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.