Galway left with food for thought after coming up short against Kilkenny

Kilkenny 1-17

Galway  0-13

GALWAY’S senior camogie team arrived at an uncomfortable crossroads last Sunday after being easily taken down by the hosts in their final round-robin match in the All-Ireland championship, leaving them facing the quarter-final route and a maturing Dublin team on Saturday week.

This wasn’t about the result, though the Tribeswomen would have significantly benefitted with a first win over their opponents since 2016. This was about ensuring Galway supporters left Kilkenny believing the O’Duffy Cup was still a realistic target.

It must be remembered that similar worries were expressed in 2013 following a shocking poor effort against the Noresiders in Athenry.  But come September, Lorraine Ryan was walking up the steps of the Hogan Stand.

That could happen again but a reaction is desperately needed following this tame collapse. And the legacy of a generation of Galway camogie players could be at stake with David Herlihy’s Metropolitans waiting in the long grass.

Unlike previous campaigns, the maroon and white started both halves well and should have done more damage. Galway went 0-5 to 0-1 up in the opening quarter, but were also guilty of seven wides.

Ailish O’Reilly was the go-to player and popped over two points (the second from a Rebecca Hennelly assist) before Denise Gaule’s free on six minutes opened Kilkenny’s account.

Gaule also smelled a potential goal but was denied twice during the hour by superb Sarah Healy saves. Carrie Dolan, Niamh McGrath and O’Reilly stretched Galway’s margin to four points by the 15th minute.

Manager Cathal Murray and his backroom team rightfully took the opportunity to look at a couple of options in their last fixture carrying a safety net. Emma Helebert started in defence, Aoife Donohue played in midfield with Noreen Coen named at full forward.

All three took to their tasks professionally but management will probably regret swapping wing backs Ryan and Helebert in the first half as they seemed in control of their individual battles. The switch breathed new life into Gaule and Miriam Walsh, while centre back Ann Dalton took control.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and  county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.