Impressive Galway trump Tipp in one-sided clash

Galway 1-22

Tipperary 0-10

GALWAY saved the business end of the title race for their best performance of the year as they made light work of the Tipperary threat in Thurles to secure a 12th consecutive All-Ireland senior camogie semi-final appearance.

An Ailish O’Reilly goal three minutes after the restart ended any hopes the home side had of creating a comeback following the Tribeswomen jumping into a commanding 0-10 to 0-0 lead.

This wasn’t a champagne Galway display but rather a calculated dismantling of their opponents. Mark Dunne’s team attacked from the off and it took Tipperary 20 minutes to open their account. Even though Brian Boyle’s charges did reduce arrears to six, another Galway scoring burst after the break ended any doubts about the outcome of this contest.

The Premier County only scrapped into the knock out series on scoring difference. But with results over the last two years suggesting they were much better (they only lost to Galway by three points in 2016), they were expected to rattle the favourites.

However, that upset came in the opening game in the Thurles double header as Dublin beat Wexford 1-16 to 0-12 to reach the penultimate stage for the first time in 27 years. And very early in the second game, it was inevitable the ‘shock’ wouldn’t be repeated.

Dunne pulled some rabbits out of the hat, including handing Siobhan McGrath her first championship start.  And within 20 seconds, Niamh McGrath sent play into her sister’s corner and the young Sarsfields forward tormented Julieanne Bourke before finding Orlaith McGrath who opened the scoring.

Four years ago, Galway concluded a subdued group campaign before opening up against Tipperary in the quarter-finals. O’Reilly was the star that day announcing her arrival on the national scene and she starred again with two frees by the fifth minute.

Galway led 0-3 to 0-0 but 60 seconds later, a great team effort delivered one of the game’s best points.  Roisin Black and Sarah Dervan combined in midfield, Ann Marie Starr contributed in the middle before sending partner Niamh Kilkenny though for Galway’s fourth point.

Kilkenny turned provider for Maria Cooney on eight minutes before Niamh McGrath made it six not long after.  Another Cooney effort continued Galway’s control before Orlaith McGrath picked out Kilkenny for the 0-8 to 0-0 advantage.

Full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune.