LGFA U-16s fall short against good Galway

Connacht LGFA U-16 Championship

Sligo 2-16

Galway 2-4

THE Sligo U-16 Ladies Footballers were beaten for a second time in this year’s Connacht LGFA U-16 Championship when losing by 12 points to Galway, 2-16 to 2-4, at Curry GAA Club’s pitch in south Sligo last Friday evening.

Sligo, who battled in vain when losing to Mayo by seven points in the opening round the previous Friday, were up against it from the start.

The hosts were 15 points down at half-time, 2-10 to 0-1, with Sligo’s solitary first-half score coming from Lauren Normanly’s converted free.

Things didn’t get any better for Sligo in the second-half although they did increase their tally – Lauren Normanly pointed another free and Rianne Smith goaled from Ciara Brennan’s work.

Galway only added a further six points in the second-half and were, in fact, outscored by the home side during this period (2-3 to 0-6).

Sligo, who brought on six substitutes in the closing stages, goaled again through Lauren Normanly, with substitute Maria O’Connell involved in the score, and Aoife Cooke, another substitute, pointing from play.

Sligo’s next game in this provincial competition is a clash with Leitrim tomorrow, Friday, at Ballisodare (7.30pm start). Meanwhile, Sligo lost to Mayo on Monday evening in a Connacht LGFA U-14 Championship opening round fixture at Scarden. Mayo won by 37 points, 11-14 to 2-4. Sligo trailed by 24 points at half-time, 8-5 to 1-2. Last night, Wednesday, Sligo took on Mayo in a Connacht LGFA Minor Championship fixture at Ballisodare.

Sligo LGFA U-16 team (v Galway): Faileann McLoughlin, Isabella Henry, Erin Deehan, Hazel Redican, Sarah Feeney, Cara King, Ciara Walsh, Laura Foley, Ellen Kelleher, Ruth Flanagan (c), Rianne Smith (1-0), Aoife Lyons, Emma O’Brien, Lauren Normanly (1-3, 3f), Leah Walsh

Subs used: Eabha Cawley, Tara Breheny, Aoife Cooke (0-1), Kellie Hastings, Lucy Conlon-Oates, Patrice Conboy, Marie O’Connell, Sophia Ryan, Alisha O’Dowd