Galway book league semi-final place in style

Galway 2-23

Wexford 0-9

Darren Kelly

in Loughrea

GALWAY achieved their initial target for 2015 last Sunday as they booked a first National Senior Camogie League semi-final appearance in three years following this comprehensive victory over Wexford.

As impressive as the Tribeswomen were, recent history ensures too much shouldn’t be read into this ahead of their meeting in the championship on July 11. Goals from Molly Dunne and Ailish O’Reilly gave the hosts a comfortable margin as Wexford’s challenge faded tamely.

But the Slaneysiders were missing Mags D’Arcy, Kate Kelly and Katriona Parrock while their All-Ireland winning Oulart-the-Ballagh contingent are still only working their way back. And in 2011, Galway handed Wexford a double digit beating in Enniscorthy only for the Leinster side to be crowned All-Ireland champions in September.

However, it shouldn’t take away from a Galway performance that showed a renewed focus following their disappointing 2014. The Tribeswomen looked comfortable and a step ahead of their opponents as Dunne finished off a three-person move for the opening score after 20 seconds.

The game was competitive for six minutes with the teams level three times. Niamh McGrath and Dunne added to Galway’s tally with Eimear O’Connor and Linda Bolger (2) replying for the visitors. But points for Niamh Kilkenny and Orlaith McGrath (2) had the maroon and white 0-6 to 0-3 in front on 12 minutes.

Kilkenny was the driving force, winning possession and delivering dangerous ball to her willing lieutenants in attack. O’Reilly should have picked out Orlaith McGrath unmarked in the ninth minute but following a Bolger free for Wexford, the home support didn’t have to wait long for their first major.

A quick ball from Kilkenny down the right flank found O’Reilly and she played her part by picking out the lively Dunne who cut inside before striking the roof of the net. Bolger responded with another placed ball to leave it 1-6 to 0-5 but despite having qualification within their grasp, Wexford just couldn’t handle the fight as Galway pulled 1-14 to 0-6 clear by half-time.

The inside line of Orlaith McGrath, Dunne and O’Reilly would enjoy a scoring frenzy, contributing 2-8 between them but Aoife Donohue, Niamh McGrath and Anne Marie Starr were causing an equal number of problems on the 40.  Donohue was winning frees and her marker Brid Gordon was removed before the quarter hour, while Niamh McGrath would finish as the game’s top scorer with eight points.

Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune