Promoted Galway ladies take on Laois in Division 1 National League opener

GALWAY senior ladies footballers make their keenly anticipated return to Division 1 when they host Laois in their National League opener at Tuam Stadium on Sunday (2pm).

Having spent three years toiling in Division 2, Galway will want to build on the significant progress they have been making in recent seasons, including reaching All-Ireland senior semi-finals in 2012, ’13 and ‘14 along with securing back-to-back All-Ireland minor titles over the past two seasons.

Galway boss Kevin Reidy acknowledges that for his charges to be back competing in Division 1 is another step in the right direction. “It is where you want to be. You are up against all the better teams, like the Dublins, the Corks, the Monaghans and the Kerrys. So, it is the place to be,” he says.

However, Reidy says that the expectations surrounding the team following the All-Ireland minor wins in 2013 and 2014 must be kept on an even keel, noting that it will take time for those youngsters to develop into senior players.

Indeed, he highlights a number of these players are currently unavailable to him this year as they focus on their Leaving Cert. Other girls are tied up in college while another has already committed to travelling abroad this Summer.

However, from that minor team he can call on the talented Ward sisters – Nicola and Louise – along with their Kilkerrin/Clonberne club-mate Olivia Divilly. Sarah Gormally, who was on the Galway minor team of two years ago, also joins the set up after completing her Leaving Cert. studies last year.

At any rate, Galway will be anxious to get their league campaign off to a solid start, particularly as their first three games are home fixtures against Laois, Dublin and Tyrone. Taking points from those will be crucial to the Tribeswomen consolidating their Division 1 status.

“Yeah, I suppose it is [vital to take points from those games] but we are not looking beyond Laois. Sunday is a massive game for us because it is our first game back in Division 1 in a few years. When we have that game played, we will look towards Dublin.”

While four of Galway’s seven league fixtures are home ties – they also play Kerry in Tuam Stadium on March 15 – by the same token, arguably their three toughest assignments are away games, namely All-Ireland champions Cork under lights on Friday, February 27, Monaghan on March 29 and old rivals Mayo on April 12.

“It is great that four out of the seven games are at home and they are all in Tuam Stadium which is good as well,” notes Reidy. “However, again, we are not looking past Laois. That was our goal when we kicked off. The most important thing is that we hold our position in Division 1 and if we can do that then we can look to push maybe for a semi-final place.”

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