Five-star Reaney drives Tribeswomen to glory
ALL-IRELAND LADIES U-21 FC FINAL EMMA REANEY bagged 5-2 as Galway U-21s claimed the Aisling McGing Cup for the first time.
The rampant Tribeswomen crushed Mayo by 35 points at St Croan’s GAA club in Roscommon.
Galway had lost their previous finals in 2016 and 2013 but, rejuvenated by the return of the strong contingent of Kilkerrin/Clonberne players, they went about dispatching their opponents quickly and efficiently.
Galway were led by brilliant performances from full-forward Reaney and Louise Ward, who was a constant threat from corner forward.
Mayo took an early lead with two frees from Fiona Doherty but Galway quickly took control.
Scores from Olivia Divilly and player of the match Shauna Hynes preceded the first goal for Louise Ward on 13 minutes, and Nicola Ward and Hynes added further points before Reaney drove a low shot to the net for her first goal.
Galway put the game to bed with a furry of scores just before the break with Divilly and Hynes scoring from distance before two goals from Reaney made it 5-9 to 0-3 at the break.
Despite the advantage of the breeze in the second half, Mayo struggled to make any headway on the scoreboard.
Four more points from Doherty kept them ticking over but counted for little as Galway doubled their goals tally with Reaney scoring her fourth after 35 minutes and Ward adding her second.