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Tracey Leonard of Galway scores a goal past Emma Murray of Waterford. Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Galway overcome stern Waterford challenge to set up All-Ireland semi with Mayo

The Connacht neighbours will meet in a repeat of their provincial decider.

Galway 1-12

Waterford 2-4

Daragh Small reports from Glennon Brothers Pearse Park

TRACEY LEONARD SCORED 1-5 as Galway negotiated the dreadful conditions and a stiff challenge from Waterford to advance to the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final where they’ll face rivals Mayo.

Waterford put up a big fight at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park and Aileen Wall goaled twice, but she was unable to stop Galway setting up a repeat of the Connacht final in the last four.

Leonard and Wall traded goals in the first half but it was Galway who took a narrow 1-6 to 1-4 lead into half-time. Galway pushed on at the start half although Wall scored her second goal Tim Rabbitt’s side had enough to seal the win.

The chances of a free-flowing game were ruined by the torrential rain. It started in the third minute and never eased up, but the surface held solid despite the downpour.

Galway v Waterford - TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final Áine McDonagh of Galway in action against Kate McGrath of Waterford. Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

Roisin Leonard defied the deluge to score Galway’s first point in the fourth minute and Maria Delahunty curled over an effort down the other end.

Delahunty sent a free wide from the slippery turf after Galway went back in front with Tracey Leonard on target from an eighth minute free.

Michelle Ryan started at midfield but went back to her traditional full-forward and showed her strength before she finished her first point to tie the game again.

Then Galway blitzed Waterford with an unanswered 1-2 between the 12th and 18th minutes.

GalvWat3 Emma Murray of Waterford in action against Sarah Conneally of Galway.

Megan Glynn and Louise Ward added to Galway’s lead and they got the first goal of the game. Cousins Tracey Leonard and Roisin Leonard combined to create an opening, and the former cooly lobbed Waterford goalkeeper Rosie Landers.

Galway were 1-4 to 0-2 ahead in the 18th minute and they could have pushed on before the break but the weather was a big factor again. And after a brief reprieve, the rain fell heavily.

Delahunty finally put Waterford back on the scoreboard in the 20th minute, and it was a rallying score.

Sarah Conneally scored a huge point for Galway but then Michelle Ryan doubled her tally before the Waterford goal arrived. Aileen Wall exchanged passes with Eimear Fennell and fired past Lisa Murphy and into the Galway net.

Galway started brightly in the second-half and Tracey Leonard scored twice with Áine McDonagh swinging over a brilliant effort from her left.

Galway piled on the pressure but Wall conjured a chance from nothing and blazed her shot over Lisa Murphy’s head in the 48th minute.

Waterford were only 1-11 to 2-4 behind but Conneally settled Galway and that was enough to secure a place in the semi-finals.

Galway v Waterford - TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final Sarah Conneally, Charlotte Cooney, Olivia Divolly and Lisa Murphy celebrate. Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

Scorers for Galway: T Leonard 1-5 (3f), S Conneally 0-2, R Leonard 0-2, L Ward 0-1, M Glynn 0-1, Á McDonagh 0-1

Scorers for Waterford: A Wall 2-0, M Delahunty 0-2 (0-1f), M Ryan 0-2

Galway: L Murphy; S Lynch, N Ward, S Burke; O Murphy, B Hannon, C Cooney; L Ward, Á McDonagh; O Divilly, M Glynn, M Seoighe; T Leonard, S Conneally, R Leonard. Subs: L Coen for Glynn (44), M Coyne for Seoighe (53), S Molloy for Lynch (60)

Waterford: R Landers; M Wall, C McGrath, E Murray; Kate McGrath, Karen McGrath, R Tobin; M Ryan, K Hogan; A Wall, K Murray, S Dunphy; E Fennell, C Fennell, M Delahunty. Subs: B Valuntaite for Delahunty (49), L McGregor for Fennell (54)

Ref: Brendan Rice (Down)

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
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    May 18th 2015, 2:32 PM

    Even when on the bench he didn’t get game time. The coach doesn’t like or trust him. Saturday once again showed just how wrong O’connor has been all season

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    Mute Colin Webber
    Favourite Colin Webber
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    May 18th 2015, 6:24 PM

    O’Connor is just all wrong for Leinster.

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    Mute Mark Lawlor
    Favourite Mark Lawlor
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    May 18th 2015, 2:31 PM

    He has a very big chance next season with Leinster during the World Cup, midfield won’t be as competitive so he should get a good run of matches.

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
    Favourite Chris Mcdonnell
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    May 18th 2015, 6:56 PM

    Mark if Darcy doesn’t make the World Cup squad, he’ll play 12 with t’eo at 13. Then Madigan and sexton will be back so the midfield won’t be as easy to get into as you may think

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    Mute David Davidson
    Favourite David Davidson
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    May 18th 2015, 4:27 PM

    That pop pass from O’Brien

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    Mute Irish Underage Rugby
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    May 18th 2015, 2:54 PM

    Battle between him and Madigan for the 12 jersey next season.

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    Mute Cian Walker
    Favourite Cian Walker
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    May 19th 2015, 4:02 AM

    It’s always to easy to see who coaches ‘just like/don’t like’. When Gopperth played badly it was ignored whereas when Madigan played mediocre or even if Reid played well decisions went against them.

    It creates such a poisonous culture as some players start to feel entitled to spots and others feel it doesn’t matter how well they play they won’t get picked. Cody and Fergusson were masters at disregarding players identities and judging on match performance alone. MOC is such a stink manager.

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