Galway hit the goal trail to send the Cats packing

Galway 5-7

Kilkenny 2-9

TONY Ward’s greatest challenge after this display last Sunday will be keeping a lid on the inevitable hype as Galway produced another convincing performance to book a meeting with Cork on Sunday week in the National Senior Camogie League Final.

An early penalty for Niamh McGrath and two goals apiece from Ailish O’Reilly and Molly Dunne were the highlights on another quality performance from the Tribeswomen.

From the start, the intent was evident. O’Reilly has been lethal form and won a penalty in the opening minute and Niamh McGrath sent a bullet to the net for an early goal.

Galway’s confidence grew as they moved the play around freely. In contrast, Kilkenny were in disarray spilling simple possession and making too many unforced errors.

Three more McGrath frees and a point from Dunne gave the Tribeswomen a 1-4 to 0-0 advantage and it should have been more as Dunne and Anne Marie Starr missed goal chances. Kilkenny eventually opened through a Denise Gaule free in the 18^th minute with herself and Katie Power reducing the deficit to four within three minutes.  McGrath got her fourth placed ball to make it 1-5 to 0-3 before Galway hit their second strike.

The determination of these rampant Galway attackers were typified on 25 minutes.  Despite having four defenders crowding her, Dunne eventually picking out Niamh Kilkenny. The Galway captain wasted no time sending an inviting ball down to the corner where O’Reilly held off Kate McDonald before taking the catch, leaving her marker for dead before hand passing to the net.

Again, Galway were clear and a poor Emma Kavanagh puck out allowed Orlaith McGrath onto the scoreboard before a third Gaule free sent the teams in at half-time with the Westerners 2-6 to 0-4 ahead.

But could Galway be ruthless in the second half?  Indeed, the maroon and white didn’t trouble the umpires during the third quarter at all and only came back to life after Kilkenny got to within three points.

Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.