Defending All-Ireland camogie champions face tough test against Kilkenny

After surviving a test of character in their quarter-final against Clare, Galway’s camogie side face the ultimate challenge this Sunday when they meet an undefeated Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final Gaelic Grounds in Limerick (4pm).

The Noresiders are league champions, on 10 wins out of 10, and with their minor and senior hurlers plus their intermediate camogie team already going to Croke Park, there’s a positive feeling in the Marble County.

In a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland final, Kilkenny will be looking for revenge and stated their intent in February when they outplayed Galway 2-11 to 0-8 in the league.

Kilkenny added wins over Derry, Clare, Limerick and Wexford to take league honours and took that form into the championship dispensing of Offaly, Tipperary, Clare and Derry.

With 12-66 scored in four games, Kilkenny can count on Denise Gaule, Aoife Neary and Leanne Fennelly for scores while the full-back line of Mairead Power, Kate McDonald and Jacqui Frisby has only conceded one goal in the Summer.

Kilkenny are the form team while Galway’s has been slightly erratic but their 2-10 to 0-14 win over Clare in the All-Ireland quarter-final will give confidence. Goals from Emma Kilkelly and Aislinn Connolly proved turning points a fortnight ago while Niamh McGrath’s seven points were important but Tony Ward’s charges will know they need to improve.

Galway’s defence have been reliable and restricted Clare to just one point from play over 100 minutes and they will need to be equally tight. Molly Dunne and Niamh Kilkenny announced their arrival in Championship 2014 with two sterling performances and gaining control around the middle will be critical.

It’s in attack where the maroon and white need a significant boost. Despite the referee’s constant whistling the last day, Galway still only managed three points from play. McGrath has performed strongly this year and the return of Ann Marie Hayes to full forward looked to reap dividends but the All-Ireland champions will need others to step-up.

Kilkelly and Orlaith McGrath are likely starters and it’ll be interesting if Ann Marie Starr gets the nod after her productive cameo appearance. Otherwise, Rebecca Hennelly, Ailish O’Reilly, Brenda Hanney, Aislinn Connolly and Noreen Coen should ensure plenty of competition for the final spots.

Quite simply, Galway need a performance. The quarter-final showed signs that the Tribeswomen are back on track but they will need to be at their desired level to keep their ambitions intact.

No doubt, it’s in Galway and should it come, this will be intriguing afternoon and their win against Clare will stand to them against a Kilkenny side inactive for five weeks.  If it doesn’t, then their reign as Queens of camogie will end around 5.30pm on Sunday.