Defending champions Mayo defeated by Galway in Connacht final

Andrea Trill’s goal in their final attack assured Galway regained the TG4 Connacht LGFA Senior Championship at the expense of title holders Mayo, winning by 1-11 to 0-9 in Kiltoom on Sunday afternoon, writes Darren Kelly.

Daniel Moynihan’s team led 0-11 to 0-9 entering the final minute after three Lisa Cafferky frees put the defending champions back in contention.

The annual joust between these provincial rivals didn’t disappoint as Galway tried to clear from a free as Nicola Ward’s ball was knocked down by Chellene Trill. Leanne Coen was also involved before Trill finished to the net and Galway took back the trophy they lost last year.

The teams were level five times during the first half, with Galway opening the scoring inside 20 seconds thanks to Emma Reaney after the returning Louise Ward charged down the centre following the throw-in.

Mayo responded immediately through Lisa Cafferky and in the fourth minute, her sister Sinead’s strike from distance made it 0-2 to 0-1.

Galway struggled to break down their opponents, Roisin Leonard missing three dead ball shots. However, she equalised on nine minutes, making it 0-2 apiece.

Maria Cannon put Liam McHale’s team back in front but Coen restored parity within 60 seconds. Leonard finished a move started by a quality Ailbhe Davoren catch in defence but Ciara Durkan pushed up to supply Sinead Cafferky on 17 minutes for Mayo.

This began Mayo's best spell as they went two points ahead. Sinead Cafferky’s diagonal ball found Lisa who shot her team into the lead, and then she kicked her third from play on 23 minutes, putting the Green and Red 0-6 to 0-4 ahead.

Galway needed to gain some control again and they did, concludiong the first period with two scores. Shauna Hynes got the first thanks to a Reaney assist, while a Leonard free left it 0-6 apiece at the break.

The hot weather was a factor and it was Galway, and in particular Olivia Divilly, who drove them on the scoreboard, while Nicola Ward’s runs were decisive in carving up the Mayo defence.

Divilly got two points either side of a Nicola Ward score to make it 0-9 to 0-6 before Ailish Morrissey marked her return with a 43rd minute point. Another score for Divilly put Galway five ahead (0-11 to 0-6) entering the final 10 minutes.

Mayo, who had earlier forced a Dearbhla Gower save from a Fionnuala McLaughlin effort, reduced the arrears with those three Lisa Cafferky free, but Trill’s late goal ensured Galway were crowned Connacht champions.

Galway: D. Gower; K. Geraghty, S. Lynch, M. Jordan; C. Cooney, N. Ward (0-1), C. Trill; M. Glynn. L. Ward; S. Hynes (0-1), A. Davoren, L. Coen (0-1); E. Reaney (0-1), R. Leonard (0-3, 2f), O. Divilly (0-3).

Subs used: A. Ni Cheallaigh for Cooney (33), A. Morrissey (0-1) for Reaney (41), N. Divilly for Hynes (44), A. Trill (1-0) for Leonard (56), M. Walsh for Glynn (60).

Mayo: L. Brennan; S. Lally, N. O’Malley, K. Sullivan; E. Ronayne, C. Durkan, D. Caldwell; A. Geraghty, E. Murray; F. McLaughlin, C. Needham, S. Cafferky (0-2); A. Staunton, M. Cannon (0-1f), L. Cafferky (0-6, 3f).

Subs used: A. Fitzpatrick for Sullivan (HT), F. McHale for Cannon (41), H. Reape for Geraghty (43), E. Needham for C. Needham (46), M. Reilly for Staunton (50).

Referee: A. Clogher (Roscommon).