Galway stay top of the table after overcoming slow start

Galway 0-19

Offaly 1-10

On a day of shocks in the National Camogie League, Galway avoided a similar fate last Sunday as Aoife Callanan inspired the hosts to a six point victory over Offaly.

With Clare falling to Tipperary, and Wexford conceding an eight point lead to Dublin, this victory ensured the Tribeswomen maintained their 100% status and a firm grip at the top of Group 1.

A late start due to the hurling, Galway were guaranteed a challenging afternoon within two minutes of the commencement. Cailin Fitzgerald’s delivery led to a mix-up between Shauna Burke and Sarah Dervan before the ball spilled for Arlene Watkins to hit an early Offaly goal.

The Faithful County led 1-2 to 0-1 after nine minutes. Even though Niamh Kilkenny responded immediately with a Galway point, points for Fitzgerald and Tina Hannon had the Leinster side four clear before the maroon and white found their flow.

It’s been a trademark of this current Galway side to ease into games before putting their foot on the accelerator and the danger seemed to have been averted when they charged 0-6 to 1-2 ahead by 17 minutes. Noreen Coen took Ailish O’Reilly’s pass for her first point before Callanan opened her account.

Galway were dealt a blow with Niamh McGrath ruled out following an injury picked up two weeks ago against Dublin, but Callanan proved an able deputy with two further placed balls levelling affairs.  When Coen added her second point, the Tribeswomen looked set to take off.

But Offaly are a different proposition and have always tested the big teams. Despite the crowds dwindling in Salthill following the hurlers’ clash with Tipperary, Adrian Clancy’s team made supporters take a second think before abandoning their female players. Siobhan Flannery tapped over a free to restore parity before Michaela Morkan and Flannery put Offaly two ahead.

Callanan responded with her first from play but a Fitzgerald free cancelled that effort. But two late points for Coen and Callanan had Galway on equal terms at the break (0-9 to 1-6).

Galway’s destiny looked uncertain at this stage and the stop-start nature of the second half didn’t allow either team find a fluid rhythm. While camogie should be glad to share the stage in a double header, the incessant whistle blowing and substantial hold-ups for substitutions didn’t add to the appeal for supporters to stay late. Quite simply, women need to be allowed express themselves in their hurling, and camogie’s rule book needs to reflect this.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune