Below par Galway seniors fail to fire in league setback

Wexford 2-10Galway 1-10

Eoghan Cormican aqt Duggan Park

A New Year, the same old result, as Galway came out second best to an under-strength Wexford outfit in this slow-burning National League camogie opener at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe on Sunday.

Wexford travelled west with just five of the team that achieved the three-in-row last September and while they were outclassed for much of the contest, crucially, they never allowed Galway out of reach. Moreover, when their chances arose during a five minute spell in the second-half, the Wexford forward division capitalised superbly to claim a fully merited three-point win.

Under new management for the current campaign, the All-Ireland champions were without the services of the Lacey sisters, Katrina Parrock, Ursula Jacob, Kate Kelly, Catherine O’Loughlin and Deirdre Codd. In truth, this was a second string Wexford outfit and still Galway were to forced to settle for second best, partially of their own doing.

As proven so often in the past, the underlying difference between the two sides is how they capitalised when in the ascendency. Galway, to be fair, enjoyed the upper-hand for the first three-quarters of the fixture, but were never any more than three points to the good.

Despite an abundance of chances, six first-half wides highlighted Galway’s woes in front of goal.

Wexford would require only one opening and it arrived on 46 minutes, Brid Gordon pouncing for the first goal of the contest. That score litthe fuse on a five minute spell in which the visitors registered an unanswered 2-4, showing no little, power, enterprise and precision in attack.

A shell-shocked Galway did manage to rouse themselves at the death with Molly Dunne stealing in for a goal and when Orla Kilkenny was hauled to the ground by Mags D’Arcy two minutes from the end, the home side earned a chance to salvage a draw. Niamh McGrath stepped forward to strike the penalty, but D’Arcy proved equal to the task.

Same old, same old was muttered by more than a few Galway supporters as they headed for their cars, by no means filled with confidence for what the season ahead might bring. 

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