Hennelly's free saves Galway U16s

Date Published: 10-Aug-2010

Galway 1-8 Clare 0-11

Eoghan Cormican in Nenagh

A FAIR result was the general consensus after Saturday’s pulsating All Ireland minor camogie final where a Rebecca Hennelly free two minutes into injury time tied up proceedings and, in the process, earned Galway a second bite of the cherry.

Just seconds from the full time whistle, Johnny Kane’s charges trailed their opponents by the minimum and it looked as if Clare were finally going to claim the silverware which had eluded them over the past three years.

Indeed, the Banner outfit seemed to have done enough to claim the spoils when centre back Chloe Morey edged them in front on the stroke of full time. However when midfielder Shauna Healy gathered possession and subsequently tore through the heart of the Clare rearguard from the resulting puck out, their defence was left with no alternative but to bring an end to the midfielder’s blistering run.

The resulting free – drenched with pressure – proved well within the capabilities of Hennelly and the Tribeswomen survived to fight another day. At the game’s end, disappointment was etched across the faces of the Clare panel. Victory certainly had been taken from their grasp.

Galway, in stark contrast, were clearly relieved to be still in the battle for All Ireland honours. From the management’s point of view, the result was the only positive to be taken from the game as the performance from those in the maroon and white left a lot to be desired.

Just nine scores, but more importantly ten wides paint the picture of an out of sorts Galway attack which failed to catch fire in the close surroundings of McDonagh Park.Two free takers – Rebecca Hennelly and Tracey Murray – neither of whom could match the unerring accuracy of Chloe Morey at the other end, only added to Galway’s woes in front of goals.

Clare, on the other hand, looked extremely penetrating going forward and on more than on occasion, Galway defenders were forced into fouling their opponents to put paid to the possibility of a green flag.