Dublin 2-3
Galway 0-4
JUST FIVE SCORES hit, but it was more than enough to seal Dublin’s three in-a-row and make it a weekend to remember for the capital.
In front of a record-breaking crowd of 56,114 in Croke Park, they beat Galway on a scoreline of 2-3 to 0-4 in a strange All-Ireland final in horrendous conditions.
After their male counterparts sealed a first-ever five-in-a-row at the same venue last night, Mick Bohan’s side wrote their own piece of history, becoming just the third county in ladies football to lift the Brendan Martin Cup on three consecutive occasions (they join illustrious company in Cork and Kerry).
It’s been a remarkable journey under Bohan for the Sky Blues, lifting their first All-Ireland crown since 2010 — and second-ever — after beating Mayo in the 2017, while last year they saw off their great rivals, Cork, in the showpiece.
This three in-a-row comes after three heartbreaking final defeats in-a-row to the Rebels.
And today, goals from Foxrock-Cabinteely duo Sinéad Goldrick and Hannah O’Neill, and points from Player of the Match Lyndsey Davey, captain Sinéad Aherne and second-half substitute Noelle Healy were all they needed to edge Galway, appearing in their first All-Ireland final since 2005.
It was a repeat of the 2004 final, of which Dublin trio Aherne, Davey and Siobhán McGrath are the only survivors.
A first half which threw up just two scores — we waited 22 minutes for the first — it was a defensive operation at both ends with the conditions truly awful. Yet, that can’t be an excuse for some of the mistakes and wides on both parts.
Tim Rabbitt’s Galway started strongest, comfortable as they controlled the game and dominated possession, with their match-ups on Dublin forwards bang on. Nicola Ward tracked Carla Rowe, while Sinéad Burke kept 2018 Player of the Year Aherne quiet.
Olivia Divilly and Louise Ward’s cutting runs caused Dublin problems as the Tribe settled best and matched the champions physically, but they’ll regret their early misses. By half time, they had hit five wides, dropped two short, and saw one come off the post.
Likewise, Aherne uncharacteristically missed a free, Niamh McEvoy saw an early effort come off the post at the Hill 16 end and another Carla Rowe effort went wayward.
An outstanding Olwen Carey interception lifted the Jackies when they needed it most, and Goldrick showed her quality at both ends of the pitch as she registered the game’s first score — and a goal at that — in the 22nd minute.
Cúúúúúúúúl!
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) September 15, 2019
Ag fanacht 23' nóméid i gcomhair scór agus tagann cúl do @dublinladiesg
Sinéad Goldrick leis an scór nó ar tháinig sé de cosantóir? Ba cuma lena Dubs ar aon chaoi!@LadiesFootball @20x20_ie #properfan pic.twitter.com/FChJ9hTBPA
After leading her defence impeccably from the get-go, the Foxrock-Cabinteely star left three Galway players reeling as she won the ball out of nowhere and cooly lobbed Lisa Murphy for the highly sought-after first score of the game.
Two minutes later, Sarah Conneally stepped up with a monstrous point to inspire Galway, and it looked like the scores might start coming as half-time approached, the rain still pelting down and the ground getting greasier.
The attendance announcement at half time lifted the crowd anyway, 56,114 the number popping up on the screen to massive cheers around HQ. (A quick look at the last few years — 2014: 27,374, 2015: 31,083, 2016: 34,445, 2017: 46,286, 2018: 50,141.)
The second half started a lot brighter, Davey splitting the posts with Dublin’s first attack with things shaping up to be a bit more exciting.
But no, another error-strewn period ensued as conditions worsened. Another Dublin free went wide, as the woodwork was hit yet again. Both teams happy to throw the ball around, and patient in their build-up, they were waiting for the perfect opportunity to pounce.
Galway were then dealt a big blow as Mairead Seoighe was sin-binned for a clash with her opposing number one, Ciara Trant, running in on goal.
And that aforementioned perfect opportunity soon came to the Sky Blues. The 39th minute saw O’Neill palm the ball into the Canal End goal, after colossal work from Davey in the build-up.
But yet again, Galway responded immediately. This time, a Tracey Leonard free keeping them in touch as the scoreboard went 2-1 to 0-2 entering the final third of the match. Shortly after, the captain raised another white flag from a free.
Her cousin, Roisin, followed suit with a point off the crossbar, but it would take something special to catch a Dublin team with so much experience on their side.
And as the clock ran down, Aherne and Healy added two more invaluable points for the Dubs; Healy clenching her fists in celebration as the final score of the game sailed over the bar and brought the curtain down on the fierce battle.
Scorers for Dublin: Sinéad Goldrick (1-0), Hannah O’Neill (1-0), Lyndsey Davey, Sinéad Aherne and Noelle Healy (0-1 each).
Scorers for Galway: Tracey Leonard (0-2, 2f), Sarah Conneally and Roisin Leonard (0-1 each).
Dublin
1. Ciara Trant (St Brigids)
2. Éabha Rutledge (Kilmacud Crokes)
3. Niamh Collins (Foxrock Cabinteely)
4. Martha Byrne (Cuala)
5. Aoife Kane (Kilmacud Crokes)
6. Sinéad Goldrick (Foxrock Cabinteely)
7. Olwen Carey (Thomas Davis)
8. Lauren Magee (Kilmacud Crokes)
9. Siobhán McGrath (Thomas Davis)
10. Carla Rowe (Clann Mhuire)
11. Niamh McEvoy (St Sylvesters)
12. Lyndsey Davey (Skerries Harps)
13. Sinéad Aherne (St Sylvesters) – captain
24. Hannah O’Neill (Foxrock Cabinteely)
15. Jennifer Dunne (Cuala)
Subs
14. Noelle Healy (Mourneabbey, Cork) for Jennifer Dunne (HT)
19. Caoimhe O’Connor (Clontarf) for Niamh McEvoy (42)
22. Oonagh Whyte (Clann Mhuire) for Hannah O’Neill (51)
18. Rachel Ruddy (Ballyboden St Enda’s) for Aoife Kane (64)
23. Niamh Hetherton (Clontarf) for Carla Rowe (60).
Galway
1. Lisa Murphy (Kilkerrin Clonberne)
2. Sinéad Burke (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
3. Nicola Ward Kilkerrin (Clonberne)
4. Sarah Lynch (Naomh Anna Leitir Móir)
5. Orla Murphy (Claregalway)
6. Barbara Hannon (Dunmore McHales)
7. Shauna Molloy (St Fursey’s)
8. Louise Ward (Kilkerrin Clonberne)
9. Áine McDonagh (Moycullen)
10. Olivia Divilly (Kilkerrin Clonberne)
11. Megan Glynn (Claregalway)
12. Mairéad Seoighe (Clonbur)
13. Tracey Leonard (Corofin) — captain
14. Sarah Conneally (Dunmore McHales)
15. Roisín Leonard (Corofin)
Subs
19. Fabienne Cooney (Claregalway) for Sarah Conneally (42)
22. Charlotte Cooney (Claregalway) for Orla Murphy (46)
20. Leanne Coen (Corofin) for Mairead Seoighe (48)
29. Andrea Trill (Claregalway) for Roisin Leonard (66)
18. Mairead Coyne (Gráinne Mhaols) for Barbara Hannon (67)
Referee: Brendan Rice (Down).
Absolute muck
@Aido: the conditions? Yes they were.
@Brendan Hughes: you know its ok to say if it wasnt a good match?
@Benny: no that’s not aloud… you are a bigot and sexist as well as a racist on the weekends!
@Brendan Hughes: ah come on. The standard was terrible. No excuses. The weather wasn’t ideal but sure the League is played over the winter in worst conditions.
Wasn’t a good advert for the women’s game, if anyone watched that for the first time they wouldn’t be inclined to again.
@Joe O’Driscoll:
My two daughters just came home drenched like ducks :: it was worse than it looked on TV :: it was a fine rain but never stopped ::we all played in weather like that, the ball was a bar of soap :: I went to the S/F and it was good football :: the finial was not !
@Aido: conditions appalling… we saw in last year’s final how good LGF can be. I do think playing on a slightly shorter pitch would improve the game. The women don’t cover the same ground as quickly or kick the ball as far as the men and changing the pitch dimension would help. Also the referee needs to realise it’s Gaelic football and not ‘tag’ and let some physicality in the game – all the players want this too. Ref today was awful picky & ruined the match
@BMJF: No the quality on the field ruined the match. It was an absolute shit show from start to finish.
Surely now after all these all Ireland’s the grant money at the start of the millennium to boost the game in Dublin can be redistributed to other counties so that they also have the chance to improve their fortunes… especially with a multimillion euro deal with aig and players receiving 6000 euro appearance fees… not an equal playing field at the moment
@Padjo Mulk: shut up ya fool
@Kev Kev: knob head
@Mark Walsh: cheers dick breath x
@Padjo Mulk: if other teams cannot kick scores in games. Funding has absolutely nothing to do with it
@Kev Kev: what was wrong about what he said
@my name: Yes it has, better equipment and sports specialist like what a professional sports team would have all full time experts.
@brendan H: to score a point? You require professional help? If that’s the case you’d better pack it in Brendan
@brendan H: its not all about sports equipment or sports specialists, its the Dublin county board ensuring that there are young kids and teens in primary and secondary schools are involved and interested in playing gaelic or hurling. They have that extra talent and experience, and then when it comes to intercounty, it boosts the teams. I live in Co wicklow and our county board and schools are a joke. No teachers wanting to keep our national sport alive especially hurling, because it requires that extra time after work. Dont get me started with the county board
@Oisin Curry: so keep jumping on the band wagon when also the dubs hurlers rise again and get some silverware and blame it on the funding Dublin get
@Padjo Mulk: Cork 11 All Ireland’s in 12 years – where you screaming for change??
@Oisin Curry: I agree, Wicklow has an almost identical population to Kerry and can’t clean Kerry’s boots …are we saying the success in Kerry is funding?? Of course not… its kids living & breathing football
@Padjo Mulk: It’s just a golden generation for every grade in the same county, nothing to see here.
@Padjo Mulk: cork ten in a row
Up The Dubs!! Ladies and men history makers. The Best teams to ever play the game.
@Aidan Butler: he said the exact same thing as the other fools yesterday when the lads won. They are a better team, end of…..
@BMJF: I agree with you. A lot of work needs to be done in Wicklow!
@Oisin Curry: Dublin county board achieve this by bringing full time development officers into the schools on a regular basis and then having a few of them full time with the clubs too! Do you think the wicklow county board (or any other fir that matter) can afford this? Do you think Dublin could without the financial doping by GAA headquarters?
@Dino Baggio: you do know that LGFA, isn’t part of the GAA, right? So your funding argument doesn’t stand up pal.
@Dino Baggio: Wicklow County Board can afford anything to do with clubs and people. I mean, before we play our match in Aughrim Cty Grounds, we have to go to the back end to a small lumpy pitch which is a housing estate field. Wicklow GAA like to look after themselves with gear etc while future players have to train in a sh×t field because we might “affect” their posh grass on the pitch. Also, they built a new stand with seats that are only full on county days, waste of money. As what Joe Brolly says, its an absolute disgrace
@Padjo Mulk: how DARE you suggest that
@Oisin Curry: the reason the cant afford what you want is because they are stretched to put a semi decent senior team on the pitch and this is what brings in the majority of the money for the county board. If the had millions extra you’d see more like what Dublin has in the way of facilities and playing numbers
Woeful all round. Weather and game
Most disappointing game, even though conditions were poor surely these players who are supposed to be the best ladies players in the game could do better. 56000 people, many of them neutrals, duped into parting with hard earned cash, worse there were many who travelled from outside Dublin. No advertisement for the game, Dublin deserved the win but subdued celebrations would be more in order
@Kevin50: stupid comment
@BMJF: yes yours is.
Thought the ref was pretty poor. Best team won but some very debateable calls against galway defenders. 3 in a row and 5 in the men’s. Some talent in the capital at the minute. Up to everyone else to match the standards set. Whinging won’t change it and it was refreshing to see the two teams yesterday play open attacking football
@John Michael Mcdonald: Amazing talent and they are doing it all without any help.
@Colm Coughlan: well the quality of their club championship is impressive. Speaking for our own which is poor at times it’s easy to point to finances but plenty of counties spending serious money from their own fund raising and getting no where near that level
@John Michael Mcdonald: spending it on the team isn’t what gets you 5 in a row its the thousands of young lads that got the training early that got whittled down to the elite senior squad that made it. Take away the extra funding and the development officers that got these kids involved and keot them involved through full time coaching would not have been there and this would not have happened
free tickets all round what a load of rubbish
@Brysonpieters: we paid for ours… the whole family went. Kids were €5. I doubt Croke park is making a whole lot of money out of it. Strategic investment in the future of the game so great times ahead for ladies football.
@lambda sensor: you got done. Free tickets all over the place during the week.
@lambda sensor: Dont think so the product is shocking bad. Wouldnt cross the road to see it
@Brysonpieters: mine was €25 and the kids €10 each. Not a great game but I’ve watched some poor mens games too.
We were bone dry high in the Hogan
@Brysonpieters: the tickets are not free. €25 adult, €10 child
@Chris Byrne: u were robbed then my friend they were thousands of free tickets going around
Roll out the “Dublin gets better funding” crowd. If Dublin lost then they’d say money wouldn’t buy talent even though that completely negate the argument they give when Dublin win
@Jake Kelly: Money Doesn’t put the ball in the net or over the bar Good Players do….
@Jake Kelly: agreed. Cork won 10 titles in 11 years but it had f**k all to do with funding. They were just a quality side that wanted it more.
Same for Dublin…. fair dues to em.
I’m from Galway and disappointed but I think it was a magnificent show by the ladies. A lucky break – which they didn’t get – might have sent things a different way. And well done to Dublin. 3 in a row after 3 defeats in a row is brilliant
I thought Galway were poor.
Poor game, Dublin and Cork have been the best teams and produce excellent games.
They should split that womens team in 2 cause they r 2 good for everyone and nobody wanted 2 split any other county in half when they were doing well example when Kerry were going for 5 in a row there was no talk of splitting them in 2 …
Anyway enough babbling Congratulations to the Ladies just like the mens team each n every one of you are doing the county proud
Was a struggle to watch but conditions were very bad.