Goals from Leonard and Davoren secure final spot for Galway as they overcome Cork

FINAL BOUND: Galway's Ailbhe Davoren in action against Cork players Shauna Cronin and Daire Kiely, 7. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

TG4 All-Ireland Ladies SFC semi-final: Cork 0-10 Galway 2-7

Róisín Leonard and Ailbhe Davoren goals helped secure Galway’s first TG4 All-Ireland LGFA final appearance since 2019 at the expense of Cork in Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore.

When it mattered most, Daniel Moynihan’s side registered a first win in three attempts having previously fallen to the Rebels in this year’s National League and All-Ireland group stages.

An opportunity to bring the Brendan Martin Cup back to Galway for the first time in 20 years was created during a dominant first half display.

Róisín Leonard’s converted penalty and Ailbhe Davoren’s well worked goal on the stroke of half-time left Shane Ronayne’s team with too much to do. That, plus an over reliance on Katie Quirke for scores saw a more cohesive Galway emerge deserving winners.

The Tribeswomen settled quickly with Olivia Divilly converting an early free. Ponderous in possession, Cork struggled to make any headway before Róisín Leonard doubled her side’s advantage.

A brace of Katie Quirke frees settled Rebel nerves as their opponents kicked three wides to conclude an even opening spell.

A debated Ava McAuliffe score handed Cork their first lead but Galway hit back with Róisín Leonard dispatching a penalty to make it 1-2 to 0-3. The Corofin player’s spot-kick was coolness personified considering she missed an excellent goal chance only a minute before.

Quirke remained Cork’s most reliable attacking weapon and levelled matters via a brace of converted frees.

Olivia Divilly, Louise Ward and Niamh Divilly’s inter-play kept the Connacht side on the front foot while Hannah Looney’s introduction for an injured Rachel Leahy altered Cork’s attacking approach.

Galway continued to press as the influential Róisín Leonard took her personal total to 1-2. Next, Leanne Coen setup Ailbhe Davoren to finish to the net prior to a Leonard free sending Galway in 2-4 to 0-5 ahead at the interval.

Things could have gotten worse for Cork when Ailish Morrissey broke through but cannoned her shot off the crossbar 3 minutes after the restart.

Quirke punished Galway’s profligacy with her first point from open play soon after. The Bride Rovers stalwart was a constant thorn in Galway’s side and split the posts to leave a goal between the teams after 39 minutes.

Olivia Divilly’s second free of the evening was a much-needed Galway score but Cork responded immediately through Emma Cleary.

The Connacht side’s ability to win frees deep in Cork territory saw Róisín Leonard make it 2-6 to 0-8 heading into the closing quarter.

Leonard added another placed ball as Cork emptied their substitutes bench in an attempt to stage a late comeback.

Katie Quirke’s seventh point and a late Laura O’Mahony effort proved academic as Galway held on and ran out deserving winners.

Scorers for Galway: R Leonard 1-5 (0-3 frees, 1-0 pen), A Davoren 1-0, O Divilly 0-2 (0-2 frees).

Scorers for Cork: K Quirke 0-7 (0-4 frees), A McAuliffe, E Cleary, L O’Mahony 0-1 each.

GALWAY: D Gower; M Jordan, S Lynch, K Geraghty; A Ní Cheallaigh, N Ward, C Cooney; M Glynn, A Davoren (captain); O Divilly, L Ward, N Divilly; A Morrissey, L Coen, R Leonard.

Subs: E Reaney for A Morrissey (46), S Hynes for A Ní Cheallaigh (47), M Walsh for M Glynn (53), A Trill for R Leonard (53).

CORK: S Murphy; M Duggan, S Kelly, S Leahy; A Healy, S Cronin, D Kiely; M O’Callaghan (captain), A O’Mahony; E Cleary, L O’Mahony, A McDonagh; A McAuliffe, K Quirke, R Leahy.

Subs: H Looney for R Leahy (25, inj), E Kiely for A McAuliffe (38), A Ryan for A O’Mahony (46), L McDonagh for A McDonagh (48), S McGoldrick for A Healy (50).

Referee: Kevin Phelan (Laois).