Whether they’re victims of their own success or they’ve taken a stranglehold on the province will be much clearer when Galway put their Connacht under 14 ladies football title on the line against a Mayo side seeking to bridge a gap to their last win in 2014.
Galway are the reigning All-Ireland champions having scored 18 goals in their final three games including their 6-9 to 1-14 win in the final over Kerry in July 2017. It was the second time the Tribeswomen were crowned national winners after clinching their first in 2010.
Padraig Kilcommins is the new Galway manager replacing Stephen Hession who’s moved to the under 16s. And both managers will have to juggle a lack of game time against opposition who’ve come through a competitive ‘B’ competition.
Nice picture of our Under 14 B Connacht Champions 🏆🏆- Well done to this super bunch of players 4 out of 4 wins clocked up – next stop the Connacht A Final on May 7th with time and venue tbc @MWRSport @ConnachtLGFA @Elverys pic.twitter.com/5zNDlpzLzu
— Mayo LGFA (@Mayo_LGFA) April 29, 2018
After underwhelming recent underage results, Mayo have dropped and conceded 6-14 to Galway in the 2017 Connacht Final. But they’ll be hoping their new-found confidence will ensure a closer game after four wins secured the ‘B’ title last weekend.
Alannah Devereux, Ciara Barrett (3), Niamh O’Malley (2), Millie Sheridan, Sinead Walshe and Lillian Keane gave the Green and Red a 9-9 to 1-4 victory over Roscommon and the county a boost following their minor loss.
It’s 1994 since Mayo won an All-Ireland and Connacht needs a competitive rival especially after Galway’s recent dominance. The Tribesgirls came within 60 seconds of an All-Ireland treble with the minors denied in the decider against the Rebelettes.
Claregalway won the Feile Division One title eight days earlier while Caltra Cuans, Ballinasloe and St. Gabriel’s were also successful in the top three tiers. The competitive rivalry was perfect for Kilcommins’ preparations and he’ll hope they gel early and gain control.
The rivalry is much closer at adult and senior club level and Mayo’s current crop will be aiming to reintroduce that fighting spirit for the next generation. Should they get a solid start, they could push the maroon and white. But Galway are the designated ‘A’ team and will be expected to prevail.
Verdict: Galway
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