O’Reilly and Coen hit the goal trail for Galway

Galway 5-9

Dublin 1-7

GALWAY led throughout as they claimed their second win of the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship with a 14-point victory over Dublin at Parnell Park on Saturday.

Ollie Bergin’s side delivered an impressive display from defence to attack to ensure a 14 point win, and keep the momentum going, ahead of a home game with Derry this weekend, before facing fellow table-toppers Kilkenny in their final match.

A hat-trick for Oranmore’s Ailish O’Reilly and two goals from Noreen Coen were among the stand-out moments from this game in a tie where Shauna Burke made her championship debut.

The Craughwell clubwoman leaked a goal during a momentary lapse from the visitors, who conceded 1-2 unanswered in a four-minute spell midway through the second half, but the result was never in doubt.

The Tribeswomen’s defence performed strongly for the most part, with the full-back line particularly solid.Tara Kenny, Sarah Dervan and Heather Cooney were very impressive throughout, and gave Dublin little change up front.

Goals win games, and Galway’s five certainly proved central to this victory, with Athenry corner-forward Coen breaching the Dublin net for the first time after six minutes, after an Ann Marie Starr pass to ensure a 1-2 to no-score lead, after Niamh and Orlaith McGrath fired early points.

Galway made little of playing against a stiff wind in the opening half as they continued to perform strongly in front of the posts. A brace of Niamh McGrath pointed frees extended Galway’s lead to seven points after just nine minutes, with Galway running well at the Dublin defence.

Dublin’s chances were limited at this stage, with an Ailson Maguire pointed free opening their account after 12 minutes, after a foul on Orlaith Durkan.

Galway responded in perfect fashion, with a powerful strike from Ailish O’Reilly in the 13th minute, ensuring a 2-4 to 0-1 lead. It wasn’t until the 26th minute before Galway registered their next score, with defences on top.

Dublin only managed their second point during this spell – a second pointed free from Ailson Maguire. The hosts’ management recognising the problems in defence at this stage, introduced Grainne Quinn for Mairead Luttrell in the full-back line.

Galway finished the half strongly with Noreen Coen netting her second goal, and completing the visitors hat-trick as they took a 3-4 to 0-2 interval lead.