Galway edged Monaghan by 0-17 to 0-14 in a cracker at St Brendan’s Park in Birr to reach the last four of the TG4 All-Ireland ladies senior football championship.

Early Scores from Ciara McAnespie, Therese McNally/Scott and Cathriona McConnell gave Monaghan a two-point lead although Linda Martin fired a penalty wide.

Galway responded and points from Louise Ward, Lorna Joyce, Geraldine Conneally, Lucy Hannon and Annette Clark gave them a put them a 0-7 to 0-6 interval lead.

Monaghan All Star Caoimhe Mohan hit two points and a score from McNally-Scott gave Monaghan the edge once more before Clarke and McConnell swapped scores from frees to see the game level at 0-10 apiece.

But Galway hit the front thanks to Aoibheann Daly, Cormican and a double from Olivia Divilly. Ellen McCarron kept Monaghan in touch but Tracey Leonard’s point and Clarke’s free proved enough to seal a three-point win.

Sinead Aherne hit eight points as Dublin booked their place in the last four thanks to a 2-12 to 1-10 win over Kerry.

Goals in either half from Niamh McEvoy and Noelle Healy proved crucial although Kerry fought hard to the end.

Aherne scored five frees as Dublin eased into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead. Kerry were dealt a real hammer blow on 24 minutes when a quick free from Lyndsay Davey saw Aherne find Niamh McEvoy who coolly lobbed into the net past Edel Murphy.

Emma Sherwood finally got Kerry’s opening score from play as Houlihan added a free.

But Dublin ace Aherne added two more frees and one from play to giver he side a 1-9 to 0-3 interval lead.

After the restart, scores from Patricia Dennehy, Lorraine Scanlon and Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh gave Kerry belief until Dublin fired a second goal when Healy ended her fine solo run with an impressive finish. Kerry got a late consolation goal when Deirdre Corridan’s free went all the way to the net.