Late points from Burke and Dolan save day for Galway

Galway 1-13

Tipperary 2-10

TWO late points for Mairead Burke and Carrie Dolan last Saturday rescued this All-Ireland minor camogie final for Galway and both sides will meet again this weekend.

Trailing 2-10 to 1-11 entering injury time, Galway’s young players displayed remarkable resilience to ensure another encounter against the team that defeated them two years ago by 12 points.

That 3-13 to 1-7 reversal in the under 16 decider ensured Tipperary were strong favourites and the Premier County looked to have done enough when Orla O’Dwyer found the net in the 49th, but the Tribesgirls have matured significantly since that meeting and forced their way back.

An eagerly anticipated game saw defences came to the fore while free takers also got their chance. A tightly contested affair, the teams were level on six occasions in the opening 24 minutes.

Tipperary opened the scoring when Grace O’Brien pointed from a placed ball within 50 seconds but Dolan responded by the fourth minute. Both renowned attacks looked to pressure their opponents and while the work rate of the defences never allowed much fluidity, it often came at the expense of a foul.

O’Brien again put Tipperary ahead on seven minutes but Galway responded immediately when Leanne Freaney converted. The game’s first score from play didn’t come until the 11th minute but when it did, it sparked things into life.

Starting with a free inside Galway’s half, goalkeeper Sarah Healy sent a dangerous ball into enemy territory. Seeking out Dolan, the Tipperary backs were quick to marshal the Clarinbridge forward, but Sarah Spellman stole inside to finish off the ground and Lorraine Larkin’s team were 1-2 to 0-2 ahead.

Goals were expected to be critical but Galway’s lead lasted just three minutes. Joint Tipp captain Karen Kennedy took her time with a free around the middle. When her delivery reached the opposing square, Sinead Meagher read the flight perfectly, swinging the hurley and sending the sliothar to the net.

And they were inseparable three more times in the next ten minutes. Dolan pointed two Galway frees with Freaney getting another. But Tipperary managed three from play as O’Dwyer, O’Brien and Keely Linehan all found the target.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.