Inside Track: Galway Ladies’ footballers were overdue big-day break
THE Galway ladies' footballers have finally graduated from the school of hard knocks. They didn't do it in spectacular fashion at Croke Park last Sunday, but when it came to grit and resolve, the Tribeswomen were not found wanting in turning the tables on Kerry from their final defeat of two years ago.
There had been some doubts about this Galway team ever reaching the Promised Land after a series of near misses over recent seasons. In 2022 and '23, they suffered one point quarter-final losses to Meath and Mayo respectively, while last year the women in maroon suffered heartbreak against Dublin in a epic semi-final which went to extra time.
When you throw in letting a winning hand slip against Cork in this year’s league final, on top of falling to Kerry in that 2024 All-Ireland Final, it was hard to ignore a trend here: Galway were unable to close the deal in the matches that counted, and all of this in an era when Kilkerrin-Clonberne were laying waste to every challenger at club level.
It led to assumptions that this Galway team – for all its talent – didn't possess the mental resolve to carry them to All-Ireland glory. Well, no more can that tag be pinned on them after edging out Kerry in a titanic struggle on Sunday. This was a physical, energy-sapping contest where both teams defended like demons and free-flowing football was rare.
And, yet, there were moments of genuine brilliance. Leanne Coen, whose recovery from an ACL injury this summer was so instrumental in Galway claiming just a second All-Ireland title, notched two goals of the highest quality, the first a terrific solo effort; the second a bullet to the opposition net after Nicola Ward had parted the Kerry defence like Moses had done to the Red Sea.
We also had Eva Noone showing nerves of steel to nail the matchwinner after her sister, Hannah, had created the opening. Bodies were laid on the line at the back with Niamh Divilly, Brónagh Quinn, Sarah Ní Loingsigh and Kate Geraghty hassling and harrying for everything, with Nicola Ward and Hannah Noone driving forward repeatedly.
Midfielder Louise Ward is obviously equipped with long-lasting Duracell batteries such is her limitless energy, while Siobhán Divilly was prepared to sacrifice her forward runs in providing extra defensive cover. Up front, Coen will take the lion's share of credit, but Kate Thompson, Olivia Divilly, Kate Slevin, Eva Noone, who was on a power of ball, and Róisin Leonard all caused varying degrees of problems for the Kerry rearguard. It wasn't the easiest of conditions for any goalkeeper to deal with, but Leah O'Halloran never looked rattled even when Kerry were doing well on her kick-outs.
Galway's overall body language screamed that they had enough of hard-luck stories and near misses. The fact that they came out on top in a final which went down to the wire adds lustre to the Tribeswomen's achievement. Geraghty and company had to dig deep to banish the demons of the past.
In his third season in charge, Daniel Moynihan has gradually reshaped and built a team into the best in the land. Sure, Kerry will rage over the closing moments when the breaks went against them, but no matter what they threw at Galway on Sunday, the new champions were not prepared to settle for second best anymore. Congrats to all.
Mighty Mayo
IT'S nearly a fortnight later, but so many sporting aficionados remained consumed by Mayo ending a 75-year All-Ireland title famine and the unprecedented celebrations which followed. It puts into perspective the goodwill towards the team and the sheer joy of finally seeing the county end their footballing torment.
In one swoop, Mayo people are no longer tortured souls. Instead, their supporters have been washed away in a tidal wave of positive emotion after beating champions Kerry. Few neutrals gave them a chance and when they fell seven points behind after 16 minutes, it was hard to avoid the conclusion that Mayo were set for more heartache.
But new manager Andy Moran his programmed his team to keep going – and keep shooting – no matter what. When you reflect on the final minute and Seán O'Shea's equalising two-point attempt falling short, most teams would have tried to 'keep ball' and play out time. Instead, Mayo broke up the field in keeping with their spirit of adventure for Tommy Conroy to put the seal on a day which will never be forgotten.
All through the following week at the Galway Races, I met people from Westmeath, Wexford, Kilkenny, Offaly, Tipperary – and all over – who confessed to shedding tears at the final whistle. This great win wasn't just a release for the Mayo fans, but for all of us who have shared their pain over the years.
The post-match scenes in Croke Park were extraordinary and spine-tingling. I have never seen a sporting celebration in Ireland like it before. It was as if the players and supporters were lost in a world of sheer jubilation and ecstasy. These were special moments in time which reflect the magnitude of Mayo's achievement.
Camogie Final
GALWAY will be attempting to complete an unique women's GAA double at Croke Park on Sunday in a repeat of last year's All-Ireland camogie final against Cork. The county's ladies' footballers have led the way, but this Cathal Murray managed outfit have been carving out their own history as several of their players chase a fourth senior medal in eight years.
Murray has been in charge for all of those triumphs and though going on semi-final form, Cork are understandably favourites to gain revenge, they can be braced for a mighty defence of the O'Duffy Cup by the admirable Tribeswomen.