Work ethic and composure crucial to Galway’s triumph

By Eanna O’Reilly

WHEN Galway reflect on Sunday’s titanic All-Ireland senior camogie final victory over the Cats at Croke Park, they will consider a number of elements to have been crucial to the victory.

Some of which were in evidence in all of Galway’s championship games this year, namely their massive work rate, hunger and desire to win, as well as not panicking during the opposition’s spell of dominance in the game.

However, facing Kilkenny iat GAA headquarters brought a new set of challenges both before and during the game. Tara Kenny’s unfortunate injury meant an enforced change to a very settled backline which had been a huge source of strength all year.

Rather than making a straight swap, team manager Cathal Murray chose to reposition Caitríona Cormican from half forward to number six. Although experienced in the position at club level, this was still a huge challenge for Cormican to make this change on All-Ireland final day.

Not alone that, but she was tasked with marking last year’s Player of the Year, Anne Dalton. The challenge didn’t daunt her as she  successfully reduced Dalton’s influence to a huge extent during the game. The Kilkenny centre forward, aside from a short spell in the second half, was very quiet on the day.

Without Dalton exerting her usual influence, Kilkenny struggled to create scoring chances. Thus, Cormican’s performance was a crucial component in Galway’s win, as Murray acknowledged post-match.

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

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