Strong second half sees Galway defeat Tipperary
Connacht champions Galway began their TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship campaign with an impressive second quarter in Tuam Stadium to run out comfortable nine point victors over Tipperary.
The Tribeswomen did the damage with 1-8 unanswered, including Leanne Coen's goal, to lead 1-10 to 0-1 at half-time but Tipperary put in a much improved second half display.
Galway took the stiff wind at the start and opened on two minutes with Louise Ward slotting over. Olivia Divilly also got off the mark in the sixth minute.
It wasn't one way traffic as Tipperary dropped a couple of balls towards Aishling Moloney. Caitlin Kennedy also struck low but off target. However, a free won by Ava Fennessy on 18 minutes led to Moloney converting a free.
That was after a seven minute hold up when Galway attacker Shauna Hynes was injured. Her replacement was 2024 captain Ailbhe Davoren who also played a pivotal role.
The key score was the goal on 22 minutes. Divilly, Nicola Ward and Davoren played a part before the latter passed across to the unmarked Coen who kicked to the net. And from there, the hosts proceeded to dominate.
Kate Thompson, Divilly (2) and Davoren made it 1-6 to 0-1 as Tipperary struggled with kick outs. That being said, they did drop three dangerous balls towards the opposing square but keeper Dearbhla Gower showed good hands.
At the other end, Galway added four more white flags starting with Divilly that could have been a goal. Kate Slevin added two points either side of Davoren's second.
Slevin tallied straight after the restart but Galway only managed three scores during the period. Slevin got the second on 43 minutes before Divilly struck her fifth in injury time.
Tipperary will take from solace from their second half effort, though an injury to Kennedy will be a concern. Moloney delivered five points, three from play, while Emma Morrissey punched the air after slotting one over from the right.
Moloney also twice went for goal, once hitting the crossbar. But Galway's first half display was enough to take the win before heading to Donegal in seven days.
Scorers for Galway: O Divilly (0-5, 1f); K Slevin (0-4, 2f); L Coen (1-0); A Davoren (0-2); L Ward, K Thompson (0-1 each).
Scorers for Tipperary: A Moloney (0-6, 3f); E Morrissey (0-1).
GALWAY: D Gower; B Quinn, S Ní Loingsigh, K Geraghty; H Noone, N Ward, C Trill; L Ward, S Divilly; L Coen, S Hynes, K Thompson; E Noone, O Divilly, K Slevin.
Subs: A Davoren for Hynes (11 inj), A Trill for Slevin (510, L Noone for Thompson (51), A Madden for L Ward (54), S Healy for C Trill (58).
TIPPERARY: L Fitzpatrick; N Martin, L Spillane, E Cronin; I Carr, M Curley, S English; AR Kennedy, C Kennedy; L Morrissey, A Ryan, A O'Shea; A McGuigan, A Moloney, A Fennessy.
Subs: S O'Carroll for Carr (30), N Towey for C Kennedy (36 inj), E Morrissey for L Morrissey (39), N Shelly for O'Shea (41), C English for Ryan (59).
Referee: Gus Chapman (Sligo)
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