First half goals inspire Galway to inaugural U-20 title success

O'Malley's 2-8 central to victory over Donegal

Galway 3-11

Donegal 1-9

By Darren Kelly

At Tubbercurry

EVEN though they needed a helping hand to qualify for the final, Galway’s U-20 ladies footballers were crowned the first-ever All-Ireland champions at the grade on Saturday as they seized the early initiative against Donegal and built a match-winning advantage.

Two Alisha O’Malley goals plus one for her St. Fursey’s clubmate Ava Heneghan gave Kevin Joyce’s charges a healthy cushion at half-time. And while Donegal briefly got back into contention with a Caitlin Fletcher second half major, Galway’s lead was never under threat.

This wasn’t just about their forwards’ conversion rate. Galway’s defence worked perfectly as a unit with 'keeper Eadie Ryan producing two important saves. Keeva Reynolds, Leanne Seoighe, Saoirse Coleman and Caoimhe McCabe were also called upon to make critical blocks.

Galway were playing for the first time in six weeks and only a fortnight after learning that they qualified for the All-Ireland final following Dublin’s draw with Meath in their final round-robin fixture. Donegal, who won the Ulster section of the competition, started with a point from Sarah Thomas point who kept Galway’s backs alert.

Thomas and Maeve Brady shared five goals in their provincial final win over Tyrone, but neither raised a green flag on a warm day in Fr. Kilcoyne Memorial Park, even if a slight breeze was felt in the main stand.

Galway’s opening goal arrived with a stroke of luck in the second minute. Isabelle Murray picked out O’Malley on the right wing and when her point attempt fell short, 'keeper Ellie McGarvey couldn’t hold it and it dropped over the line.

Any nerves in the Galway camp were further eased when Katie Slattery set up Saoirse Murray to make it 1-1 to 0-1 on four minutes. Donegal replied through Aisling O’Neill who was the Donegal's go-to player in the first period.

O’Malley made her mark on this final. Sarah Banks was the provider for her opening point before the resulting kickout on 10 minutes fell into her lap. Last year’s minor captain had only one thing in mind and finished goal number two. Another converted free from O'Malley 60 seconds later made it 2-3 to 0-2.

Donegal dropped players back to deal with the dangerous Galway forward line in which Aisling Murray and Heneghan weere industrious. The Tír Conaill women depended on frees at the other end with Ward converting on the quarter hour. Fletcher was unable to beat Ryan with a chance.

Thomas was also foiled by Seoighe after Galway captain Klara Banek nearly provided a Messi-style World Cup moment. Isabelle Murray and Slattery created the opportunity and after the Oughterard midfielder weaved her way past multiple defenders, she opted to kick over the bar.

Galway were 2-4 to 0-3 up on 19 minutes and put double digits between the sides three minutes later. Superb play from Aoibhinn Madden played Heneghan through on goal and though the Galway attacker collided with Garvey, she stayed on her feet and kicked to the net for her side's third goal of the half.

A Ward free for Donegal left it 3-4 to 0-4 at half-time and about the only criticism was that Galway hadn’t finished off their opponents. Heneghan won a penalty, but McGarvey made an excellent save from O’Malley who also saw another shot blaze across goal.

O’Malley continued her prolific afternoon with a converted free on 32 minutes. Donegal’s Thomas also had an effort deflected over by Reynolds as both teams played with 14 players following yellow cards before the break for Isabelle Murray of Galway and Donegal’s Alanna Boyle.

Another shot from Thomas couldn’t find its way past Seoighe before Donegal's persistence was eventually rewarded. Thomas again forced a save from Eadie Ryan that cannoned off the crossbar and Fletcher was waiting for the rebound for a much-needed goal on 36 minutes.

With their lead cut to 3-5 to 1-5 on the three-quarter mark, Galway responded with Saoirse Murray setting up O’Malley for two white flags. Donegal’s Chloe Costello had a shot tipped over by Ryan. O’Malley and Fletcher traded further points before Galway’s Ruby Quinn was sin-binned for a high challenge.

O’Malley added a Galway free before Caoimhe McCabe blocked another Thomas chance. Donegal’s afternoon concluded with a yellow card for captain Tara Rose Mahon and though Fletcher kicked a two-pointer, scores for O’Malley and Katie Slattery ensured this was Galway’s day.

GALWAY: E. Ryan (Kilconly); K. Reynolds (St. Fursey’s), L. Seoighe (Naomh Anna Leitir Móir), S. Coleman (Naomh Mhuire); R. Quinn (Claregalway), C. McCabe (Caltra Cuans), A. Madden (Kilkerrin-Clonberne); K. Banek (0-1, captain, Oughterard), S. Murray (0-1, Caltra Cuans); I. Murray (Dunmore MacHales), S. Banks (Tuam-Cortoon), K. Slattery (0-1, Dunmore MacHales); A. Murray (Caltra Cuans), A. O’Malley (2-8, 0-5 frees, St. Fursey’s), A. Heneghan (1-0, St. Fursey’s). Subs: R. Noone (Dunmore MacHales), for Heneghan, 36 mins; S. Melia (Tuam-Cortoon), for Banks, 49 mins; Z. Rather (Salthill-Knocknacarra), for S. Murray, 54 mins; A. Nash (Salthill-Knocknacarra), for I. Murray, 59 mins; G. Farragher (Monivea-Abbey), for Reynolds, 60+4 mins.

DONEGAL: E. McGarvey; N. Devlin, R. Doherty, S. Ryan; M. Diver, T.R. Mahon (captain), R. McLaughlin; L. Ward (0-2, 0-2 frees), K. McMullin; M. Ní Ghallachóir, M. Brady, A. Boyle; C. Fletcher (1-3, one 0-2 score), A. O’Neill (0-1), S. Thomas (0-2). Subs: C. Costello (0-1), for Ní Ghallachóir, half-time; L. McKeever, for Diver, 53 mins; M. McAteer, for Brady, 60+1 mins; N. Walsh, for Ryan 60+1 mins; S. Doherty, for Boyle, 60+1 mins.

REFEREE: Paul McCaughey (Westmeath).

HERALD SPORT PLAYER OF THE MATCH:

Alisha O’Malley (Galway).

GAME AT A GLANCE

KEY MOMENT

Alisha O’Malley came up with the four key scores that ensured Galway were crowned All-Ireland champions. Her first goal, fortunate as it was, settled the team before an opportunistic second put distance between the sides. Two points early in the final quarter, supplied by Saoirse Murray, killed off Donegal’s momentum following their goal from Caitlin Fletcher.

TALKING POINT

How fluid Galway were as a unit despite being six weeks without competitive action. They linked up well and looked like a team that had played recently. Their defenders were brave in making blocks and there was a steady supply line through the middle with Alisha O’Malley and co doing the rest in attack.

Another hot topic was the successful introduction of the U-20 competition. The hope is that more teams will get involved in 2027.

STAR TURN

Alisha O’Malley was deservedly named player of the match, not just for her contribution of 2-8, but for also stepping up in crucial moments. She wasn’t the only top performer as Ava Heneghan’s industry created scores and Saoirse Murray and Klara Banek dominated midfield. Eadie Ryan was superb in goal, while Leanne Seoighe, Keeva Reynolds and Caoimhe McCabe made defensive interceptions.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Referee Paul McCaughey from Westmeath generally let the game flow even if all four yellow cards issued raised eyebrows. That said, Galway didn’t make any complaints about the two they received. A couple of decisions were questionable, but not decisive. The Donegal supporters raised their unhappiness at some calls against their team.

SIDELINE VIEW

Manager Kevin Joyce couldn’t have asked for a better outcome especially with uncertainty over where they stood after a six-week lay-off. They were also missing injured defender Jess Ross. Three changes were made to their defeat to Dublin with Leanne Seoighe, Keeva Reynolds and Ruby Quinn playing a key role. They used five substitutes in the second half, including Aoife Nash who flew back from Chicago during the week.

WHAT’S NEXT

While senior football should await many Galway players, at least seven of the 20 involved are underage for the grade again next year. They include starters Eadie Ryan, Leanne Seoighe, Aoibhinn Madden, Alisha O’Malley and Ava Heneghan, as well as Saoirse Melia and Zainab Rather who featured off the bench.

- Darren Kelly