Galway seniors on brink of ending the All-Ireland famine

Date Published: {J}

Eoghan Cormican

GALWAY will look to tear up the history books in their bid to secure only the county’s second ever All Ireland senior camogie title when they face 2007 champions Wexford in what promises to be an explosive final encounter at Croke Park on Sunday (4pm).

Considering this is the first time since 1994 that neither Cork nor Tipperary will be involved in deciding the destination of the O’Duffy Cup, the eagerly awaited joust is a truly novel final pairing. A final that brings Galway’s total at this level to 14. Only once have they emerged victorious.

Nevertheless, boasting a near clean bill of health, Noel Finn and his management team of Helena Huban, Noel Power and trainer Bertie Sherlock may face a selection headache if Athenry’s Jessica Gill returns to full fitness ahead of the final. The full forward was introduced late on against Cork, but the mentors may keep the player in reserve until the need arises in Sunday’s proceedings.

Given that the face of the Galway outfit has changed little throughout the summer campaign, it is unlikely to do so at such a crucial stage. Consequently, Galway will retain the backbone of the team that dethroned the treble chasing Rebelettes a fortnight ago.

Meelick/Eyrecourt’s Susan Earner will continue between the sticks, while the dependable duo of Sandra Tannian and Regina Glynn along with the ever improving Sarah Dervan will stand sentry in the full back line.

Ann Marie Hayes anchors the defence from centre-back, either side of Therese Manton and Niamh Kilkenny. Although a magnificent corner back, the Pearses defender was rightly moved out to the wing providing the team with an extra dimension going forward.

Emma Kilkelly and Orla Kilkenny will undoubtedly renew a midfield partnership that has served Galway well this summer, with Kilkenny producing arguably the performance of her life in the replay encounter.

The half forward line should comprise of St.Thomas’ Caroline Murray, Captain Therese Maher and Brenda Hanney, while inside the prolific Tara Rutledge and Castlegar’s Aislinn Connolly will occupy the corner forward berths, with Veronica Curtin holding onto the No.14 jersey.

Finn will be hoping that the Galway half back line and midfield can get the kind of possession grip that they enjoyed in their historic semi-final win in Thurles, for there’s enough wile to Veronica Curtin and power in Hanney to turn the screw on the Wexford rearguard.

Although at the other end, Wexford will be confident that they too can inflict damage.

Centre-forward Therese Maher, whose battle with Mary Lacey should be one of the intriguing subplots of Sunday’s final, will spearhead the attack, ably assisted by Killimor’s Brenda Hanney, both of whom are well capable of finding the target from distance.

Dead ball specialist Aislinn Connolly has amassed an incredible 3-51 heading into the contest, while experienced sharpshooter Veronica Curtin and Tara Rutledge have tallied 3-14 and 4-7 respectively. The form of Maher and especially Hanney will be crucial to a Galway victory against Wexford.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.