Unbeaten Galway can confirm recent mastery over Wexford

DESPITE an unbeaten 2015, Galway’s season hits the critical juncture on Saturday (Nowlan Park, 3.30pm) when they take on Wexford in the All-Ireland senior camogie semi-final.

Ten games without defeat. A league title secured. And maximum points from their championship group games. Tony Ward’s charges have been impressive since their last loss to Kilkenny 12 months ago, but will know anything bar victory will see their year reviewed negatively.

Whether it was the pressure (or hangover) from their All-Ireland triumph in 2013, the Tribeswomen never fully functioned last year. But this new look outfit have been making the right noises to atone for those below par efforts with breathtaking starts and courageous finishes to put themselves in the final four as All-Ireland favourites.

It’s fitting then that a new cycle in Galway camogie could be unleashed at the same venue where they returned to the top table seven years ago. In 2008, the maroon and white hadn’t seen Croke Park in ten years before a late Jessica Gill goal over reigning champions Wexford in Nowlan Park set on course a period of four final appearances in six seasons.

Of course, these counties are well accustomed to each other now with Galway enjoying the better record but Wexford having thrown the two lethal punches – the All-Ireland finals of 2010 and 2011!  The Slaneysiders would complete the three-in-row in 2012 before conceding their crown to Galway.

Wexford have struggled since. Much was made of missing names in 2013 and the same soundbytes are emerging again. Karen Atkinson, Ursula Jacob, Mags D’Arcy and Una Leacy haven’t featured this year through injury while Josie Dwyer and Noleen Lambert have retired.  But barring their 2-23 to 0-9 league hammering in Loughrea last March, the seven-time All-Ireland winners have been very competitive.

Colm McGee’s team picked up wins over Offaly and Limerick before coming unstuck in Wexford Park in their second meeting this year with Tony Ward’s charges (1-11 to 0-6). But they finished Group A with a 0-13 to 0-10 over Cork before edging past Dublin 0-13 to 1-7 in the quarter-final.

Full preview in this week’s Connacht Tribune.