GAA wrap: Galway earn much needed win over Tyrone, Meath beat Louth in Division 2
Kenneth Fox
Galway picked up a much-needed win in the Allianz National Football League this afternoon.
Cathal Sweeney's second half goal just edged them ahead of Tyrone to finish with a 1-10 to 12 points victory.
Galway dug out a one-point victory over Tyrone in Healy Park. However, there will be huge concern about a growing injury list with Matthew Tierney and Paul Conroy both unable to finish the tie.
They were already without Liam Silke, Shane Walsh, Damien Comer, Cillian McDaid and Jack Glynn for the trip. A dire run of injuries looks set to worsen.
Galway started the first half with purpose and finished it with lethargy. For 15 minutes they were excellent, Robert Finnerty leading the way with their opening point.
The Salthill-Knocknacarra sharpshooter added a mark after a typically brilliant Conroy pass and followed it up with a curling point thanks to a John Daly delivery. They were 0-4 to 0-2 ahead after 22 minutes.
In Division Two, Kildare were smashed by Armagh by 2-16 to 8 points while Meath just squeezed past Louth by 1-11 to 1-09.
Trailing by four points with 40 minutes played, Colm O'Rourke's side looked to be in real trouble before belatedly bursting into life and reeling off 1-6 without response to win the north-eastern derby.
The show of character and determination from players like Eoghan Frayne, Shane Walsh and Darragh Campion when Meath were struggling will particularly please O'Rourke who is attempting to build a new-look team.
Mathew Costello capped the comeback with a brilliant 70th-minute solo goal that left five points in it at that stage.
In Ladies football, All-Ireland champions Dublin staged a stunning comeback in the closing minutes to come from three points down to beat Galway in the Lidl Ladies National Football League in Parnell Park.
Trailing by 1-11 to 0-11, Mick Bohan’s team got five of the last six scores to edge past the Tribeswomen by just one.
Entering the final minutes of normal time, Jennifer Dunne and Hannah Tyrrell left one between them before Olivia Divilly replied for Galway.
Meanwhile, Aimee Mackin and Kelly Mallon struck 1-4 apiece at Ashbourne as Armagh moved to the summit of Lidl National Football League Division 1 table with a convincing triumph over Meath.
Both teams had come into this game with 100 per cent records from the opening three rounds of this year’s NFL, but with Mackin and Mallon leading their charge, it is Armagh who are the new pace-setters in the top tier.
While Emma Duggan shone brightly throughout, Meath — who are under the guidance of former Orchard boss Shane McCormack in 2024 — ultimately suffered their first defeat of the campaign.