It’s an historic afternoon here at GAA HQ as, for the very first time, Croke Park plays host to the ladies football All-Ireland semi-finals.
Getting us underway this afternoon are Connacht rivals Galway and Mayo – acting out a repeat of this year’s provincial decider. Peter Leahy’s Mayo are back at Croker for the first time since their 2017 decider loss to Dublin.
The Tribeswomen, meanwhile, will go into the game full of confidence following wins over Waterford, Kerry and Westmeath. Galway ran out winners earlier this year to lift the Connacht title and they’ll be hoping for a repeat this afternoon.
Throw-in at Croke Park is at 2pm.
So, let’s have a look at how the teams will line out this afternoon.
We will of course keep you up to date with any late changes.
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. Charlotte Cooney (Claregalway)
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)
14. Sarah Conneally (Dunmore McHales)
15. Roisín Leonard (Corofin)
Mayo
1. Aishling Tarpey (Foxrock Cabinteely, Dublin)
2. Nicola O’ Malley (Westport)
3. Danielle Caldwell (Castlebar Mitchels)
4. Éilís Ronayne (Davitts)
5. Kathryn Sullivan (Castlebar Mitchels)
6. Ciara McManamon (Burrishoole)
7. Ciara Whyte (Kilmoremoy)
8. Clodagh McManamon (Burrishoole)
9. Emma Needham (Louisburgh)
10. Sinéad Cafferky (Kilmovee Shamrocks)
11. Maria Reilly (Kiltane)
12. Niamh Kelly (Moy Davitts)
13. Sarah Rowe (Kilmoremoy)
14. Rachel Kearns (Cl McHale Rovers)
15. Grace Kelly (Moy Davitts)
Who do you see coming out on top this afternoon?
Looking for some pre-match reading ahead of throw-in?
Former Cork dual star Angela Walsh spoke openly to The42′s Sinead Farrell about her decorated inter-county career and the loss of her father Donie to cancer.
“I went to Australia that summer but didn’t realise how sick Dad was. Even my brother went travelling.
“He was getting on fine with the treatment, and he didn’t make it to Croke Park for the 2011 final.
He would have watched it at home but it’s mad, when you think back, he must have just hidden so much of his pain and how bad he was.”
You can read the this morning’s full interview right here.
Mayo players on the pitch at Croke Park earlier this afternoon.
Just over 10 minutes to go before throw-in here at Croke Park – time to get your predictions in.
Let us know how you think today’s game will go in the comments section below.
Game on! We’re underway at Croke Park.
Three late changes for Mayo…
2 min – Galway 0-0, Mayo 0-0
Sinéad Cafferky and Sarah Rowe hit early wides for Mayo.
3 min – GOAL! Galway 1-0, Mayo 0-0
What a start for Galway, after Mayo squander three early scoring opportunities, Mairéad Seoighe finds herself in acres of space during Galway’s first real attack and fires it into the net.
8 min – Galway 1-0, Mayo 0-0
That’s four wides in the opening six minutes for Mayo, they’re yet to get off the mark despite working some excellent scoring opportunities.
Galway goalkeeper Lisa Murphy makes a wonderful save after a flurry of fist knock the ball goalward just outside the square.
9 min – Galway 1-1, Mayo 0-1
Sinéad Cafferky gets Mayo off the mark but Roisin Leonard answers immediately for Galway.
11 min – GOAL! Galway 1-2, Mayo 1-1
Mayo have found the net! A fast and furious opening 15 minutes here at Croke Park! Racherl Kearns finds the net after a lovely pass inside from Eilis Roynane.
15 min – GOAL! Galway 2-2, Mayo 1-1
And another! A goal for Galway reinstates their three-point lead and it’s Mairéad Seoighe once again for the Tribeswomen. Once again she finds herself in acres of space on the left-hand side and rifles another goal past a helpless Aishling Tarpey.
What a game this has been so far!
19 min – Galway 2-3, Mayo 1-2
Áine McDonagh picks out Seoighe with a pass over the top and the forward makes no mistake, adding to an already impressive tally. Galway take a four-point lead.
23 min – Galway 2-3, Mayo 1-3
Grace Kelly slots over for Mayo to make the gap just three points, Mayo must be ruing those early missed scoring chances. The sides really should be level, Peter Leahy’s side hitting five wides in this opening half.
23 min – Galway 2-4, Mayo 1-3
Corofin’s Tracey Leonard nudges Galway further ahead with a straightforward free in front of the posts.
26 min – Galway 2-5, Mayo 1-3
Both sides enjoying periods of extended possession in the middle of the park, but it’s Galway making the most of it – Roisin Leonard taking another excellent point despite pressure from the Mayo defence
Rachel Kearns scores a goal for Mayo in the first half.
29 min – Galway 2-5, Mayo 1-5
Rachel Kearns and Grace Kelly bag scores – the latter a free – to cut the gap to three. Mayo looking to go in at the break on level terms.
HT – Galway 2-5, Mayo 1-6
Niamh Kelly closes the gap further with another point for Mayo and that brings to an end the opening half here at Croke Park.
Galway lead by two, Mairéad Seoighe lighting up proceedings with two wonderfully-taken first-half goals for the Tribeswomen.
Mayo boss Peter Leahy will have plenty to say after that opening half. Can Mayo complete the turnaround in the second period?
31 min – Galway 2-5, Mayo 1-6
We’re back underway for the second half. Mayo will need to be clinical in this second period, seven wides in the opening 30 minutes may come back to haunt them.
32 mins – Galway 2-6, Mayo 1-6
A fast start from Galway, Sarah Conneally peels off her marker and splits the posts. Grace Kelly can’t answer for Mayo as she pulls her shot wide.
34 mins – GOAL! Galway 2-6, Mayo 2-6
Niamh Kelly brings Mayo level! She cuts through the Galway defence with ease, side-stepping challenges and fires into the roof of the net. All square.
Here’s that goal from captain Niamh Kelly!
38 mins – Galway 2-6, Mayo 2-6
OFF THE POST! Megan Glynn sees her low driven shot come back off the post as Galway go looking for their third goal of the afternoon. She’s one-on-one so perhaps on reflection she’ll know she maybe could have done better.
Kearns pulls a free wide for Mayo.
42 min – Galway 2-6, Mayo 2-6
Sub for Mayo, Lisa Cafferky replaces Fiona Doherty.
Galway miss the chance to take the lead, Roisín Leonard sees her free come off the post and go wide.
45 min – Galway 2-6, Mayo 2-6
Mayo this time the ones to squander the chance to take the lead. Rachel Kearns’ free drops short again.
A drought of scores in the last few 10 minutes or so.
Galway sub: Lucy Hannon on for Sarah Connelly.
48 mins – Galway 2-8, Mayo 2-8
Mayo take the lead, Sarah Rowe slots over for the Red and Green to give them the lead for the first time this afternoon.
Megan Glynn makes no mistake from close range to draw Galway level almost instantly. Tit-for-tat stuff. And again, Mayo come up the other end and Rachel Kearns notches a score of her own. A glut of scores in the last few minutes.
Roisin Leonard then draws the Tribeswomen back level again. Breathless stuff.
Sub for Mayo: Natasha Gaughan comes on for Sarah Rowe.
49 min – Galway 2-8, Mayo 2-9
Natasha Gaughan just on the pitch about two minutes slots over a free from close range to give Mayo the lead once again.
52 mins – Galway 2-8, Mayo 2-9
Steps denies Roisin Leonard Galway a third goal of the afternoon. It’s the right call, mind you. Under severe pressure she did well to get her shot away and she finds the net but she takes upwards of about 10 steps or so.
Clodagh McManamon misses the chance to extend Mayo’s lead to two points as she shoots wide.
54 mins – Galway 2-9, Mayo 2-9
Sub Leanne Coen slots over the bar from a tight angle to draw Galway level.
Galway sub: Mairead Coyne comes on for Barbara Hannon.
56 mins – Galway 2-9, Mayo 2-9
Wide from Lucy Hannon, Galway miss the chance to take the lead. Difficult angle mind you, just inches away. Into the final four minutes here plus stoppages. All square.
57 mins – Galway 2-9, Mayo 2-9
Another wide for Mayo – Lisa Cafferky this time. 13 wides in total now for Mayo this afternoon.
58 mins – Galway 2-10, Mayo 2-9
Galway win a free from distance, Roisín Leonard steps up to take…
It’s over the bar! Galway lead!! Just over a minute to go!
60 mins – Galway 2-10, Mayo 2-9
Mayo have the chance to slot the ball of the bar but Rachel Kearns double hops and is taken out. Free out to Galway.
They come away with the ball! IT’S ALL OVER! What a dramatic finish here at Croke Park.
Galway are through to the All-Ireland final.
An exceptional end to the game, Roisín Leonard the hero in the final moments nailing a free from distance to send Galway into the All-Ireland final.
Megan Glynn is named player of the match on TG4. Galway’s resolve in the second half sees them through, holding off a rampant Mayo in the closing stages.
Thank you very much for joining us this afternoon for a pulsating semi-final showing.
You can read Emma Duffy’s full time match report right here.
Stick with us, Gavin Cooney is bringing you all the live action from Dublin v Cork in this afternoon’s second semi-final.
Thanks for reading, bye!