Mayo and Galway will today face each other for the fourth time in the championship this year after a tight encounter last Saturday which both sides feel they could have won. If anything, Galway will probably be more relieved. Mayo took an early lead and looked the better team yet they needed a late free from Cora Staunton to level matters.

The game was not without its controversial moments, although Dublin referee Tony Clarke did not have as bad an afternoon as some suggested. Mayo manager Finbar Egan was seething afterwards and there were suggestions Mayo would appeal the sending off of Diane O'Hora. O'Hora has been given the minimum one-month suspension for a straight red card.

The whole O'Hora controversy has added yet more spice to what is an already intense rivalry. Galway manager PJ Fahy is convinced O'Hora should have been sent off.

"To say Diane did not deserve to be sent off is absolute rubbish," Fahy stated. "I am not saying she did it intentionally or with malice, but she led with the elbow and one of my players (Marie O'Connell) had to receive 20 stitches."

Galway's best performance to date was in the Connacht final but they have looked unconvincing in their last two games, against Laois and Mayo the last day. Crucially, the midfield pair of Annette Clarke and Lisa Cohill did not dominate the last day as expected.

Mayo have improved dramatically since the Connacht final and the do-or-die atmosphere of the knockout stages suits the winning mentality this team has developed. It may be true Mayo have looked tired and there is an end-of-era feel to the team but new faces like Fiona McHale and Yvonne Byrne have added freshness.

Importantly, Mayo looked sharp in attack where Staunton has underlined why she is one of the most highly-regarded players in women's football. Staunton was superb again on Saturday but Egan will again worry how Mayo will survive when her scores dry up.

The game will most likely be another dogged, close encounter and despite the absence of O'Hora, the verdict goes once again to Mayo who seem to have the momentum and will have enough to secure a place in the All-Ireland final for the sixth year in succession, where John O'Leary's Dublin await.