Resilient Galway girls sweep to All-Ireland minor triumph

Date Published: 25-Apr-2012

Galway 2-12

Kilkenny 1-10

Darren Kelly in Nenagh

ANOTHER third quarter scoring spree last Saturday laid the platform for success as Galway were crowned All-Ireland minor camogie champions for the second time.

Under 16 champions two years previously, this win was sweeter as their resilience and character was called upon throughout the campaign (most notably in the drawn semi-final against Tipperary) and again when questions were asked, they weren’t found wanting.

A sunny day in Nenagh did bring a strong wind blowing towards the town goal and much to Galway’s relief, Kilkenny captain Niamh Phelan opted to use the elements in the opening 30 minutes. Its normally taken the Tribesgirls time to settle in each of their contests, noted more for first half containment before second half attacking, and this would have suited Ger Lyons’ charges.

At half-time, Galway trailed 1-6 to 1-2 and this was little reward for Kilkenny’s second half dominance but left the maroon and white in a good position with the wind behind them on the restart. However, those in attendance may have been slightly nervous when three early Galway attacks went unrewarded and at their first sight of goal, Orla Hanrick spilt the points for Kilkenny in the 34th minute to put five between the teams.

However, the Galway front six who struggled to find scoring opportunities during the first half, made amends with a 10 minute purple patch that yielded 1-6 by the 46th minute. Lorraine Farrell’s free found Orlaith McGrath who shook off her marker for the first point before a Rachel Monaghan free reduced the deficit to three.

McGrath again found the target before her sister Clodagh set up Ailish O’Reilly on 39 minutes. 60 seconds later, Monaghan sent another placed ball and the sides were level in McDonagh Park.

In the first half, Galway were blessed with some fortune when a Monaghan free in the 13th minute from 50 yards dropped below the crossbar for their opening goal. However, in the 13th minute of the second half, there was nothing lucky about her second strike as the Tribesgirls’ two main threats throughout the campaign combined for a goal worthy of any final.

O’Reilly had been player of the match during the two games against Tipperary and while she was being curtailed slightly in this encounter, she still made an impact when going on a run down the centre, she sucked in three defenders before supplying Monaghan.

The Mullagh attacker continued the move with more black and amber shirts for company but despite Orlaith McGrath and Maria Breheny in space ahead, Monaghan opted to strike and her effort left Noelle Murphy no chance, hitting the roof of the net and Galway led 2-7 to 1-7.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.