Galway Advertiser 2007/2007_10_11/GA_1110_E1_144.pdf 

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Galway Advertiser

HIGHLIGHT S
EIRCOM LEAGUE: Galway United v Bohemians, tomorrow evening, Dalymount Park. MAGNERS LEAGUE: Connacht v Cardiff, tomorrow (7.30pm), Arms Park, Cardiff. FAI UMBRO WOMEN'S CUP FINAL: Galway League v Raheny United, Sunday (3pm), Dalymount Park, Dublin. AIB RUGBY CUP SECOND ROUND: Corinthians v St Mary's, Dublin; Galwegians v Ballynahinch, Crowley Park, Saturday 2.30pm. GALWAY INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL SEMI-FINAL: Oughterard v Monivea 4pm; WEST BOARD JUNIOR B FINAL: Oughterard v St James (Junior B), 2pm, Saturday Pearse Stadium.

SPORTS EDITOR:

SPORT
BY LINLEY MACKENZIE The Galway League plays its biggest game in history on Sunday when contesting for the first time the FAI Umbro Women's Senior Cup. The Galway team faces Raheny United - also newcomers to the final in Dalymount Park (3pm). There is much at stake in this cup final as the winners will also represent Ireland in the UEFA Champions League next season. The Galway League side, now coached by Stephen Lally and managed by Maria Lawton, has become a force in the competition since representative teams were first invited to enter in 2004. The progress has been steady, and last year, under the guidance of Susie Cunningham and Maria Lawton, the Galway ladies narrowly missed out on reaching the final. It had been a tough draw for the Connacht side, having faced 2005 cup winners Dundalk and also Benfica. However they achieved their first win in the competition when they surprised Dundalk by 4 - 2, and then ousted Benfica 3 - 1 to qualify for their first semi-final. There they faced cup final specialists UCD, and in a heartbreaking conclusion, Galway lost 4-3 sudden death penalties. Mayo went on to defeat UCD in the final, thus becoming the first representative team to lift the coveted trophy.

Linley MacKenzie
CONTACT: 091 530929 or email:
lmackenzie @galwayadvertiser.ie

Galway look to capture first Irish women's senior cup
also represented. Up front they have goalscoring prowess in Kara Mullins, Aoife Burke, and Meabh De Burca, and boast six players who have been involved in national sides. Both Niamh Fahy and Maeve de Burca are currently on the Irish senior side, while Kara Mullins, Michelle Glynn, and Julieann Russell are on the Irish u-19s. However they will come up against a strong Raheny outfit that plays in the highly competitive Dublin Women's Premiere League, and they also possess calibre players well used to international fare. Olivia O'Toole, Sharon Boyle, and striker Noelle Murray are members of the Irish women's senior squad, supported by u-19s Niamh Reid-Burke, Lyn Dowling, and Christina Byrne. Galway will have to be at their best, but they are well capable of capturing their first FAI Cup victory. Galway League squad: Susie Cunningham, Tina Hughes, Paula Kelly (Ashe Rovers), Melissa Casserly, Theresa Fahy, Annette Clarke, Kara Mullins, Tara Gavin, Grainne Barrett, Aoife Burke, Melissa Fleming, Heather Duffy (Galway Bohs), Jessica McSweeney, Michelle Glynn, Jacqui Elliot (Mervue United), Laura Folan, Sandra Jackson (GUST LFC), Niamh Fahy, Emer Flatley, Julieann Russell, Maeve de Burca, Caroline Moran (Salthill Devon).

Meadh De Burca, far left, and Susie Cunningham, Galway Ladies League, with Christina Byrne and Noelle Murray, Raheny United, at a photocall ahead of this year's FAI Umbro Women's Cup final between Raheny United and the Galway League. Dalymount Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE

This year, having merged with the Galway and District League, the bulk of last year's squad are still involved. They have come through another tough cup campaign, and boast a strong record away from home. They enjoyed only one home match,

the first against Ballina Town in June which they won by 4-2, and since then they have faced St Catherine's in Dublin (6-2), Dundalk (2-0), and Wilton of Cork (4-1) - all away from home. Thus squaring up to Raheny in Dublin will not faze the Galway ladies.

They have a proven track record, boast capable goal scorers, and are captained by the experienced Susie Cunningham. The squad is backboned by nine players from Galway Bohs and five from Salthill Devon, with Ashe Rovers, Mervue United and Gust LFC

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Did college leave title bid behind them?
As NUIG and Killererin meet again in Tuam Stadium on Sunday (3.30pm), one wonders if the students have left their title bid after them in the drawn game two weeks ago. NUIG were fired up and ready to make a serious bid, but when they met Killererin, they came up against a team which showed that sheer graft and cuteness can be equally important. When Killererin struck four points on the trot at the end of each half, college were found wilting under pressure. The students have one disadvantage that they can do little about - they lack an older seasoned player who us able to slow the game, work that extra nudge, and force a skillful side into a basic error that can turn a game. This is not a criticism of the students. They are a fine bunch of excellent footballers who are easily the most skilful still remaining in this year's championship. However as the ground gets heavier, it will become increasingly difficult for the students to capture a county title. There are few better than Killererin for slowing down a game to their liking. They did it in the drawn game and they will likely do it again. How will the students cope? They could well come out and blow Killererin apart with their speed and skill, only this time not let them back into the game. However it is more likely they will get swallowed up in a low scoring affair and as a result end their championship action. This is a great opportunity for the college youths who have prepared under former Mayo star Pat Fallon. They have all their squad available, fully fit, and ready for action. This championship action is the best preparation that they can get for the Sigerson that lies ahead. In David Conway and Mark Ronaldson the students have two of the finest forwards around. The latter has a turn of speed which is menacing, and along with Fiachra Breathnach, they boast a dangerous full forward line. Mark Gottsche, Gary O'Donnell, Eddie Hoare, and John Healy provide excellent support. However Killererin are backboned by the Joyce brothers, Padraig and Tommie, and cousin Nicky. In the drawn game Nicky Joyce gave young Mayo star Stephen Drake a roasting, and it took the college a long time to take remedial action. Killererin have some very experienced players, but they also have a talented emerging young group. Ian Reddington, Tomas Hughes, Michael Keane, Jonathan Keane, Shane Hughes, and Tomas Fahy are quality players and with the experience of the Joyces, Michael Mitchell, Tommy Wilson, and goalkeeper Alan Keane, they can hold out for another appearance in the Tommy Varden Galway Senior Football Championship.

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