More semi-final heartbreak for Galway Ladies senior footballers

The Galway ladies senior footballers exited the All-Ireland title race on Saturday when losing 2-14 to 1-13 against Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Galway battled bravely throughout but ultimately came unstuck against a more balanced outfit from the capital who, crucially, took their goal chances at pivotal points.

Dublin, having blazed a trail through Leinster, amassed five goals per game on average to qualify for the semi-final and their two second-half three-pointers proved decisive in reaching the final for the first time since 2010.

The sides were level on five occasions in the opening half but a quick brace of frees from Sinéad Aherne gave Dublin some breathing space to go in 0-10 to 0-8 at the turnaround.  It was an evenly fought contest over the first 40 minutes but Galway flinched first.

Lyndsey Peat, corner forward, with the first score of the second half, 10 minutes in, punched the ball to the net after good interplay from Sinéad Goldrick and Siobhán Woods to stretch Dublin’s lead.

Galway responded well to that blow, however, and hit back with the next two points, from Barbara Hannon and the impressive Annette Clarke (free).

Dublin cancelled out those scores with a pair of their own from Woods and Aherne before they dealt a killer-blow, a second goal.

Wing-forward Carla Rowe bagged the goal, after being set-up by Aherne, and at 2-12 to 0-10 in arrears, Galway’s goose was cooked with eleven minutes remaining.

Eight points was always going to be a tough ask but Galway ploughed on regardless, with Clarke converting a penalty with a pile-driver of a shot, and landing three frees, putting some gloss on the score board.

Galway’s defence, which was generally solid all day, would have been bitterly disappointed with the concession of those two goals. Lapses in concentration led to slack marking and too much space which was ruthlessly exploited by the winners.

The opening 30 minutes was tight and tense.  Despite over a half an hour delay to throw-in, due to the preceding junior semi-final between Leitrim and Down going to extra-time, Galway hit the ground running, a neat one-two between Aoibheann Daly and Clarke allowed the latter to open the scoring.

Seconds earlier Emer Flaherty sent Louise Ward through, and though her shot was saved by Dublin keeper, Clíodhna O’Connor, it showed Galway was well ‘up’ for this contest.

The concession of silly frees however gave Dublin the platform to hit the front with Aherne showing deadly accuracy from three placed balls.

Galway began to get the upper-hand at kick-out time with Louise Ward and Nicola Ward particularly prominent in picking up the breaking ball and that possession dominance was soon reflected on the score board as points from Geraldine Conneally, Lucy Hannon, Clarke and Lorna Joyce gave Galway a one-point advantage, 0-6 to 0-5, with 10 minutes ‘til half-time.

From there to the break it was a right ding-dong battle but Galway would have been disappointed to be trailing by two at the break despite playing into a strong wind.

In a four minutes spell, Galway wasted three scoring chances: Clarke, uncharacteristically, skewed a relatively easy free; Caitríona Cormican hit a wide and Hannon struck the woodwork.

Two Dublin points – from Lyndsey Davey, with her third of the day, and Carla Rowe – nudged Dublin in front but then a quick brace from Barbara Hannon, two beautiful strikes from distance, put Galway back in front.

Noelle Healy drew Dublin level in the fiercely exciting closing stages and it appeared like they would hit the dressing rooms all square.

But with just seconds on the clock, two cheap fouls by Galway from kick-outs, gifted Aherne two ‘soft’ frees that gave Dublin a cushion at half-time that, in fairness, they scarcely deserved.

After half-time, though, Dublin were the better team and were more clinical in finishing their chances. Once the second goal went in, it really was curtains for Kevin Reidy’s charges although they never gave up.