Galway do enough to book their spot in league semi-final

Galway 1-10Offaly 0-11

Eoghan Cormican at Duggan Park

It may not have been pretty and was certainly by no means impressive, but the Galway senior team did the required in overcoming Offaly in the Irish Daily Star Camogie League at Duggan Park on Sunday, and in the process, booked their spot in the league semi-final.

Offaly stayed in contention with admirable determination and heart up until the 59th minute, but Veronica’s Curtin’s fortuitous goal following a mistake by ’keeper Pamela Nugent ensured their bid to cause a major upset came undone.

Competing in the top flight for the first time this year, following All-Ireland Junior and Intermediate success over the past two seasons, Offaly made a flying start, and with the aid of a strong breeze, hold a commanding 0-8 to 0-2 interval lead.

Potent and purposeful in attack, it quickly became apparent that Offaly’s Arlene, Watkins, Linda Sullivan, Elaine Dermody and Siobhán Flannery had the direct beating of their opponents, with Michaela Morkan’s long diagonal balls out of defence causing endless problems for the Galway rearguard.

Consequently, through Jean Brady and Elaine Dermody (free), Joachim’s Kelly’s troops established an early lead. Ardrahan’s Rebecca Hennelly registered Galway first score in the 11th minute and they were level soon after as Finola Keely found the target from the tightest of angles.

That score however was to be Galway’s last in the opening half as Offaly assumed complete control of affairs, rattling off six unanswered points from there to the interval.

Michaela Morkan burst out of defence to land an inspirational score for the visitors thereafter, with Linda Sullivan also pointing.Their high work rate caused all sorts of difficulties for Galway in the run-up to half-time and more often than not, Galway defenders were forced into fouling their opponents. Consequently, Elaine Dermody converted four successive free’s to leave Galway in real danger of early elimination from the League.

Manager Noel Finn embarked on corrective action during the interval as Jessica Gill and Noreen Coen were introduced, not to mention Aislinn Connolly who was sprung from the bench in the 22nd minute.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.