Galway 0-21
Armagh 0-8
By Kieran Lynch
Armagh manager Gregory McGonigle conceded that Galway were deserving winners as their challenge for a place in the TG4 All-Ireland final was abruptly ended by a team boasting scorers all across the pitch.
Ten different players found the target for Galway at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park in Longford to send them into a sixth All-Ireland senior final.
Galway, bidding to add to their sole All-Ireland title in 2004, produced an exhibition of point scoring to advance to their second final in three years, laying the foundation by producing a strong opening half after which they led by 0-10 to 0-3.
Armagh, hoping to reach the final since their sole appearance since they lost to Cork in 2006, were chasing the game from the opening quarter after Galway started strongly and picked off some excellent points.
“We were second best all over the pitch. Galway were far superior, cleaner and crisper in everything that they did,” said McGonigle.
“We knew that we needed to be at our very best if we were going to beat Galway and unfortunately we weren’t. Galway are a phenomenal side. We were too sloppy in the first half, giving poor ball away and hitting poor shots.
“We tried to regroup at half-time and see if we could have another go, but every time we coughed the ball up Galway punished us. They’re athletic, and they’re also very good footballers. It will take an unbelievable side to beat them in the final.”
Two points from Leanne Coen and one apiece from Niamh Divilly and Kate Slevin put Galway ahead by 0-6 to 0-1 at the end of the opening quarter.
Scores from Kelly Mallon (free) and Aimee Mackin either side of an Olivia Divilly point provided Armagh with some optimism, but Galway closed out the first half in style, with points from Kate Thompson and two from Olivia Divilly seeing them take a commanding seven-point lead into the changing rooms.
They never looked back after that with Shauna Hynes coming off the bench to score four points in the second half.
Galway manager Daniel Moynihan said their spread of scorers was a key factor as they booked their place in the final against Kerry on August 2 at Croke Park.
“We had a spread of scorers from the half back line all the way up to the full forward line,” said Moynihan. “I think if a couple of the full back line were able to get forward, they would as well. We also had players coming off the bench, who made a difference too and that’s hugely pleasing.
“It was not a polished performance; we left a few scores behind, and I don’t think the conversion rate was where it needed to be. So, once we get over this little celebration of reaching the final, it’s back to work on Wednesday night. We’ll review this game and try to remedy some of the things that didn’t go right for us.
“In the final we’ll just concentrate on ourselves. We know that if we play our football, we can beat anybody in the country, and that has to be our attitude.”
Scorers – Galway: O Divilly (2f), S Hynes 0-4 each, L Coen 0-3, E Noone, N Divilly, R Leonard (1’45) 0-2 each, H Noone, K Slevin, K Thompson, N Ward 0-1 each.
Armagh: A Mackin 0-4 (3f), K Mallon, L McConville 0-2 each.
GALWAY: L O’Halloran; B Quinn, S Ní Loingsigh, K Geraghty (capt.); H Noone, N Ward, E Power; N Divilly, S Divilly; O Divilly, K Slevin, K Thompson; E Noone, L Coen, R Leonard. Subs: L Ward for S Divilly (44), S Hynes for Leonard (45), C Trill for Power (48), R Quinn for Ní Loingsigh (51), S Healy for Quinn (53).
ARMAGH: B Mathers; A Donnelly, C McCambridge, C Towe; E Druse, L McConville (capt.), G Ferguson; B Mackin, C O’Reilly; L Marsden, A McCoy, C Marley; A Mackin, C O’Hanlon, K Mallon. Subs: C Henderson for O’Reilly (19), R Mulligan for Marsden (23), C McNally for Mallon (44), E Melanophy for Marley (48), N Reel for O’Hanlon (51).
Referee: Angela Gallagher (Meath).
