Galway U-16s renew rivalry with Ulster champions Cavan
Repeat of epic All-Ireland U-14 final two years ago
WITH provincial competition and Junior Cert exams in the rear-view mirror, the Galway U-16 ladies footballers return to action this evening (Thursday) in an All-Ireland semi-final against Ulster champions Cavan.
Orchard Park in Elphin, located in north Roscommon, is the venue with a 7.30pm throw-in. Cork and Kildare also meet at the penultimate stage at the same time in Fethard Town Park in Tipperary.
Early second half goals from Ellie Harty O'Brien (Corofin) and Kym McNulty (Claregalway) plus late pointed frees from Siún Cullinan (Maigh Cuilinn) and Katie Brogan (Claregalway) saw Galway swing a tight, tense Connacht final with Mayo five weeks ago (2-7 to 2-5).
Damien Cosgrove's side trailed by six points after the opening quarter, and it might have been more, but their battling qualities kicked in and their opponents were restricted to just two further scores in the closing 45 minutes in the wind and rain in Bekan.
Toraí O'Flynn (Claregalway), McNulty and Labhaoise Keane (Naomh Mhuire) brought Galway's only scores as they turned four points in arrears before Harty O'Brien and McNulty struck to flip the script and push Galway three in front. Mayo's second goal restored parity, but the girls in maroon showed impressive composure and resolve to defend well and find the winning scores in a pulsating finish.
That amounted to the toughest test of Galway's campaign and the culmination of a flawless provincial run that also brought convincing round-robin victories over Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo and Roscommon.
Semi-final opponents Cavan are in the midst of an extraordinary run of success at the grade and secured a remarkable fifth straight Ulster title by defeating Tyrone in the final (2-18 to 3-12).
Like Galway, they were forced to play catch-up when trailing by eight points in the second half. Sarah Crowe bagged both of their goals and both Ellie Reilly and Doireann Brady were prominent point scorers in a dramatic turnaround. Their unbeaten campaign also included home and away group wins over Fermanagh, Derry and Armagh.
Of course, this All-Ireland semi-final will be a repeat of the epic U-14 decider between the counties two years ago in Kinnegad when Galway finished strongly at the end of both normal time and extra-time and a 2-13 to 3-10 scoreline after the hour turned into a 4-15 to 4-11 victory.
Goals from Niamh Ní Ghionnáin and Kyliah Maloney in normal time were followed by two more from Ellie Harty O'Brien in the 20 additional minutes that followed. Órna Dunne and Katie Brogan contributed 11 of Galway's 15 points as Galway won their third ever U-14 All-Ireland title.
Galway are in contention to reach a first U-16 A final since winning the 2019 title with current seniors such as Kate Slevin, Eva Noone, Ellen Power and Chellene Trill on board. Cavan are challenging for a third All-Ireland in four seasons after going back-to-back at the grade in 2023 and '24.