Quick start lays platform for Galway's progress to All-Ireland semi-finals

GALWAY ARE THROUGH to a second successive TG4 All-Ireland senior semi-final following this six-point victory over Waterford in Tuam Stadium.

Kate Slevin’s first-half penalty laid the platform for Daniel Moynihan’s charges as they went nine points clear.

Lauren McGregor’s strike early in the second period breathed new life into the Deise challenge.

Galway got off to the perfect start with Eva Noone pointing after 45 seconds, and the hosts followed that up with three more for Olivia Divilly, Ailbhe Davoren and a Slevin free.

The Tribeswomen created their best chance when Chellene Trill blasted wide on 10 minutes. But Galway got their goal just two minutes later after Davoren fed Slevin.

The Claregalway forward found Eva Noone who won a penalty which Slevin converted.

Galway were 1-4 to 0-0 clear but Waterford nearly made a breakthrough when Chloe Fennell and Áine O’Neill were denied by a double save from goalkeeper Dearbhla Gower, and then Bronagh Quinn.

McGregor put the rebound over before Divilly restored Galway’s seven point cushion.

The sides shared the next four white flags before the break leaving it 1-7 to 0-3 at half-time. Galway maintained the momentum after the restart with Divilly adding two points.

But McGregor and Bríd McMaugh reduced arrears to 1-9 to 0-5 on 34 minutes. Galway pulled 1-12 to 0-6 clear as Slevin (2) and Davoren tallied against McGregor’s sole response.

But the latter brought Waterford back to life when she struck her seventh goal of the championship after good play down the middle through Hannah Power and Aileen Wall.

Waterford put Galway on the back foot as points for McMaugh (2) and McGregor left the Munster finalists just 1-14 to 1-9 behind. Eva Noone and Slevin got the Galway minors but two more added through Divilly and Slevin restored a seven point cushion on 51 minutes.

After McGregor added a Waterford free, substitute Roisin Leonard landed two between the posts to effectively secure Galway’s semi-final date with Dublin. Waterford finished with McMaugh and McGregor picking off points but it was just too late.

Scorers for Galway: K Slevin 1-6 (1-0 pen, 4f); O Divilly 0-5; E Noone, A Davoren, R Leonard 0-2 each; L Coen 0-1.

Scorers for Waterford: L McGregor 1-7 (2f); B McMaugh 0-4; C Walsh 0-1.

GALWAY: D Gower; B Quinn, S Ní Loingsigh, K Geraghty; H Noone, N Ward, C Trill; L Ward, S Divilly; L Coen, O Divilly, A Davoren; E Noone, N Divilly, K Slevin.

Subs: K Thompson for N Divilly (41), L Noone for Coen (41), R Leonard for Davoren (52), A Molloy for Trill (55), M Banek for Slevin (55).

WATERFORD: K Gardiner; C Murray, R Casey, L Mulcahy; A Murray, E Murray, K McGrath; H Power, E Power; B McMaugh, K Murray, Á O’Neill; L McGregor, C Walsh, C Fennell.

Subs: A Wall for O’Neill (19), Á Power for A Murray (50), L Ní hArta for Fennell (50), O’Neill for Walsh (54), M Dunford for K Murray (55).

Referee: Jonathan Murphy (Carlow).