Donoghue’s goal helps Galway over the line

Galway 1-11

Limerick 0-13

GALWAY survived a major examination last Saturday to book a National Camogie League Final meeting with Kilkenny on Sunday week.

An early Aoife Donohue goal proved critical for Ollie Bergin’s charges but it took two late points from Molly Dunne and Niamh McGrath to ensure the defending champions got over the line against an improving Limerick outfit.

The Tribeswomen will take much from this and showed immense character to pull out the win.  Following maximum points from five outings, their first half effort was probably their poorest of the season.  But when needed, big names stepped up to turn the momentum and ensure their unbeaten run remained.

It started brightly as Galway attacked their Munster opponents.  Donohue threatened in the opening exchanges and was unfortunate not to get the desired connection when put one-on-one against Claire Keating.  The maroon and white were strong favourites despite failing to win their last two league meetings against the Shannonsiders but already; a worrying wide count was building.

That being said, they did strike the game’s opening score on six minutes.  Galway’s half forwards were winning possession and Niamh Kilkenny went for the target.  Her delivery dropped for what should have been a routine Keating clearance but the ever alert Donohue was on hand to apply the pressure.  Getting the touch, the Mullagh forward pulled the sliothar out left before striking off the ground for the goal.

With the wind to their backs, this should have been the catalyst for Galway to charge but they only managed two more points in the opening period and concluded with seven wides.  In contrast, Limerick took control of the middle of the park.  While they did slow things down on occasions, John Tuohy’s side looked threatening on the run with Karen O’Leary and Deborah Murphy stretching the Galway defence.

One attack yielded a 45 which top scorer Niamh Mulcahy sailed over the bar.  The Ahane winger had scored 0-42 in five games and added another 11.  Two more levelled affairs before Caoimhe Costelloe pointed from the left to give the three-time Division Two champions a 0-4 to 1-0 advantage.

Full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune.