Team boss suspended but Galway still take the spoils

Galway 1-11

Tipperary 0-9

AFTER a three week break, Galway picked up their first victory of the National Camogie League last Sunday as Laura Mitchell’s goal 12 minutes from time helped to give the Tribeswomen a five point win.

The major talking point beforehand was Tony Ward’s absence. The Galway manager’s altercation with Clare referee John Dolan in their previous game against Limerick saw him called in front of the National Camogie Disciplinarily Committee where he received a two match ban which will also include this Sunday’s trip to Offaly.

Ward wouldn’t have been happy with his side’s first half effort that witnessed unforced errors and some poor communication, but the Tribeswomen looked a more balanced outfit in the second period as changes from acting managers Liam Hodgins and Orla Watson ensured the visitors maintained their unbeaten start.

The sides were level 0-6 apiece at the break as Tipperary put it up to Galway with Cait Devane looking effective and Sarah Fryday threatening in the corner.  The Premier County led 0-6 to 0-4 after 22 minutes with Devane, Fryday and Andrea Loughnane all troubling the umpires while Fryday and Megan Ryan came close to netting – Susan Earner producing an important stop.

Galway had a goal opportunity in the fifth minute but Anne Marie Starr’s effort was denied by Orla McEniry.  Niamh McGrath did open their account 60 seconds later and she added three more before her fifth reduced the deficit to the minimum.

While Tipperary moved the ball well, Galway were also showing their capabilities and won a penalty before half-time. Ailish O’Reilly and Mitchell hadn’t fully settled in the opening 30 minutes but showed signs of their capabilities. O’Reilly had earlier won a free just outside the square but when Mitchell was brought down in injury time, referee Ray Kelly pointed to the spot.

McGrath slotted over after instructions from the line to ensure the sides went in level. And despite the teams being all square twice more in the third quarter, Galway started finding their rhythm with Mitchell and O’Reilly sending over superb points from the right.

O’Reilly was causing problems up front; Mitchell was growing in confidence while McGrath was directing traffic. Despite Caoimhe Maher and Devane responding for Tipperary, McGrath made it 0-9 to 0-8 before the three Galway players set up the match winning goal.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.