Galway fall away late on as lively Cats hold all the aces

Kilkenny 1-14

Galway 0-11

AT face value, this was a disappointing exit for the Galway senior camogie team in Thurles last Sunday as their league ambitions ended tamely at the semi-final stage.

Leading 0-9 to 1-4 at half-time, the Tribeswomen only mustered two Niamh Kilkenny second half scores as Kilkenny registered ten white flags to book a final meeting with Cork.

Had this been championship, the knives would be out and Galway have much work to do before their assault on the O’Duffy Cup begins on June 17. The All-Ireland champions were missing some of their big names, notably Michelle Quilty, and found the task very easy in the second period.

This result must be taken in context. This was the second Sunday in April; Galway’s season will be defined by August and September; and there was a lot of positives from their response to Danielle Morrissey’s eighth minute goal.

Mark Dunne’s team faced their first meaningful challenge of 2017 and it showed as concentration levels lapsed. Galway had comfortable results against Clare, Offaly and Meath and were only asked limited questions by a below-par Limerick.

Despite two defeats, Kilkenny came through a group with Cork and Wexford and looked battle hardened in defence of their spring crown. While Galway will need to question how they failed so poorly in the latter stages, this result won’t be a defining moment.

It started well when Aoife Donohue opened the scoring in the fourth minute but Kilkenny attacked from the start and built a 1-2 to 0-1 lead on nine minutes. Denise Gaule equalised with a free before consistent pressure yielded the Kilkenny major with Morrissey getting the final touch.

Galway worked hard throughout and their willingness to chase dirty ball was encouraging. The maroon and white looked hungry for possession and didn’t relent from throwing their bodies into rucks.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.