Noone’s goal seals the deal for Galway against old rivals

Galway 1-12

Mayo 1-8

Ivan Smyth at Tuam Stadium

IN the end something had to give. The two narratives heading into this game surrounded whether Mayo could possibly secure their fourth successive win over Galway in less than 18 months or whether the Tribeswomen could secure their fourth Connacht title on the bounce.

In the end, the latter occurred as Galway produced an assured display as they won the first Connacht final to be held since 2019. Tracey Leonard proved instrumental to Galway’s win as the ageless Corofin warrior kicked six points, three from play.

Leonard has finished as Galway’s top scorer in each of the last four Connacht championship triumphs while she also achieved the same feat when these sides drew the first day out in 2019.

After being overturned by their arch rivals in the All Ireland quarter finals last year while suffering league defeats in successive years, there is no doubt that this was a measure of revenge for those losses.

When Mayo fired in 1-3 without reply to slash their deficit to two points, 1-8 to 1-10, with 52 minutes played, a nervy finish appeared to be in store. However, Galway’s experienced players stood up with Leonard, Olivia Divilly and the Ward sisters, Nicola and Louise, all bringing a measure of calm to proceedings as Galway kept possession and carved out two more points to give themselves an unassailable lead.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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