Galway’s All-Ireland title is on the line

GALWAY’S All-Ireland title is most certainly on the line on Saturday as they face a Clare outfit in the senior quarter-final (Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, 4pm) that eliminated them from the league.

Unlike last year against Tipperary, Tony Ward’s charges aren’t facing a side hoping for a positive performance. They meet a Banner outfit who firmly believe they are ready to break up the established top four (Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Wexford) and book a first semi-final appearance.

Make no mistake, Colm Honan’s side showed their threat during the spring reaching a first National League final after accounting for Cork and the Tribeswomen.

Galway provided temporary reprieve from their 2013 hangover in March when strikes from Niamh Kilkenny, Orlaith McGrath, Emma Kilkelly and Brenda Hanney helped the O’Duffy Cup holders to a 4-7 to 0-12 group victory over Clare, but the Munster side exacted revenge, including Niki Kaiser’s major (1-10 to 0-8) in the resulting play-offs.

Since their All-Ireland junior win in 2008, Clare have been touted as the next top tier outfit. In Cusack Park last year, they had the eventual All-Ireland champions on the ropes leading 0-8 to 1-3 at half-time, but the maroon and white produced their strongest 30 minute performance as goals from Molly Dunne, Hanney and Ann Marie Hayes helped Galway to a 3-12 to 1-12 victory.

Despite their 1-15 to 0-4 league final loss to Kilkenny, Clare responded with wins over Derry, Offaly and Tipperary while they pushed the Noresiders to just four points in their follow-up meeting.

Honan, father of Clare hurler Darach, can count on expert free taking from Claire McMahon and Chloe Morey (from distance) while Fiona Lafferty, Kaiser and Lisa Loughnane provide their goal scoring threat. Their captain Eimear Considine recently returned from a knee injury and the Banner will be inspired by Deirdre Murphy in midfield who’s still setting standards in her 18th season.

Only two wins in 2014 for Galway coupled with six defeats provides worrying signs. Galway showed positive moments against Wexford (1-11 to 2-12 defeat) and Dublin (3-21 to 1-5 win) but their flat display in Cork (losing 0-15 0-7) has many pundits wondering.

Full preview in this week’s Connacht Tribune.