Galway come up trumps in revenge clash with the Cats

Galway 1-12

Kilkenny 0-10

Darren Kelly in Freshford

THEY’D waited 11 weeks for revenge and Galway delivered a response last Sunday as they secured an 11th consecutive All-Ireland senior camogie semi-final appearance.

Ailish O’Reilly’s 38th minute goal put the Tribeswomen to the front and they took control afterwards to exact revenge for their league final loss in May.

It must be noted that no trophies were handed out, the performance wasn’t without faults and Kilkenny’s first half tactics with the wind were questionable, but on a great sporting weekend for the county, the camogie players offered a timely reminder that they remain serious championship contenders.

With qualification for the knock out stages assured, this was a chance for Ollie Bergin’s charges to see where they stood. Starting the same 15 players that began the campaign, Galway’s formation is starting to show a settled look.

Conditions were perfect but the open field allowed a stiff breeze blow that favoured the hosts in the first half. The Noresiders were expected to go for the jugular but surprisingly sat back.  Ann Downey’s team looked concerned about potential Galway threats and wanted to block opportunities for O’Reilly.

That being said, Kilkenny were creating chances as Denise Gaule and Miriam Walsh found themselves in space on occasions while the Farrell sisters in midfield, Anna and Meighean, enjoyed equality in exchanges during the first half.

Gaule opened the scoring for Kilkenny after 44 seconds but Galway responded taking a 0-2 to 0-1 lead. Both came from Niamh McGrath after fouls on Aoife Donohue and Orlaith McGrath by the seventh minute, but Galway wouldn’t score again until Shauna Healy hit the targety just before half-time.

Kilkenny led 0-4 to 0-3 at the break with Gaule (2) and Walsh converting but this was a period where Galway’s defence, particularly the half back line of Clodagh McGrath, Rebecca Hennelly and Lorraine Ryan, broke down threats.  And the full backs looked assured as Sarah Dervan consistently cleared. Amazingly, Susan Earner didn’t have to make a save of note.

On the other side, Galway’s attack were struggling to settle while the maroon and white were also guilty of some poor deliveries. But when O’Reilly supplied Healy for her score, Bergin and his team were very content with the opening 30 minutes.

The second half was set up for Galway and a strong indication of their position among the contenders would be revealed, but it was Kilkenny who stretched their lead with Walsh and Katie Power combining to allow Anna Farrell make it 0-5 to 0-3 on 32 minutes.

However, that was Kilkenny’s last point from play. Galway took on their opponents and grew in influence. Niamh McGrath won a free that she converted in the 35th minute before the game’s crucial score.

Noreen Coen took possession and send a perceptive diagonal ball in O’Reilly’s direction. The Oranmore/Maree poacher then shook off three defenders before hand passing past Emma Kavanagh to the net and Galway led 1-4 to 0-5.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.