Galway Ladies 1st team lost to Catholic Institute on Saturday afternoon in Rosbrien, undoubtedly the Galway side had the better chances but lost out on sudden death penalty strokes. Prior to the game Galway had been hit with a double whammy with the news that influential centre backs Deirdre Joyce and Sarah Melvin were ruled out of the game due to injury and illness. Never the less Galway started the game brightly and took the game in the limerick side right from the start, with Jessica Mc Nickan and Meave Faherty movement up front causing institute problems. While at the back the new centre back partnership of Grace Melvin and Freddie Timmins began nervously but slowly grew into their new roles. The midfield anchored by the young Tara Melvin in the centre and flanked by Lynsey Trainor and Grainnne Black contested every ball. While their showed their flair going forward in able to open up the institute defence, however they were unable to find the killer ball that would give Galway the edge. Galway did not have it all their own way Catholic Institute boasted a current international in the form of Kym Daly who was ably assisted by Naomi Carroll who was Ireland's top scorer at this years U-16 European championships. Galway's defence led by influential captain Susan Joyce and Claire Heskin. One of the defining moments of the 1st half came as an Institute aerial allowed young Carroll to go one v one against Galway goalkeeper Emily Molloy, on this occasion it was Molloy who came off victorious pulling off an exceptional save to deny Carroll. At the interval both sides were level
