Galway hit by injuries for clash against bogey team

AN injury hit Galway outfit come face to face with their bogey team Kilkenny in the opening round of the Gala senior camogie championship at Nowlan Park on Saturday (2:30pm).

Having lost out dramatically to the same opposition in the 2009 All-Ireland semi-final, and again in the penultimate stages of the National League in the Spring, Galway will be eager to overturn a side that has caused them plenty of heartache in recent times.

However, manager Noel Finn is not without his injury concerns, with Mullagh’s Sinead Cahalan ruled out with a knee injury. According to Finn, the Mullagh defender is to have a scan on her knee later this week – after which it is hoped the extent of her injury will be fully known.

Also out are the versatile Sarah Noone and lightning attacker Niamh McGrath, both of whom are nursing foot injuries at present. These injuries greatly impinge on a squad that has already been hit with the loss of sharpshooter Jessica Gill (cruciate), Ailbhe Kelly and Aine Hillary (both retired) and Clodagh Glynn and Catriona Cormican (both travelling). It leaves Finn and his management team with a tight panel to select from this week.

That said, Eyrecourt’s Susan Earner should continue in goal, with Sandra Tannian, Sarah Dervan, Niamh Kilkenny, Anne Marie Hayes and Regina Glynn to backbone the defence.

Following recent training sessions and challenge matches, it looks as if a new midfield partnership of Emma Kilkelly and Orla Kilkenny could be formed for this opening test.

No doubt, after their 2-12 to 1-12 loss to the Cats in the League semi-final, the management may look to re-jig their attack. Brenda Hanney, Therese Maher and Aislinn Connolly are the forerunners for the half-forward line, while the potent Veronica Curtin looks set to spearhead the inside effort.

The options for the corner forward berths are wide and varied, but Portumna’s Tara Rutledge and St. Thomas’ Caroline Murray have, by all accounts, been showing well in recent weeks.

Others in contention for starting places throughout the side are Lorraine Ryan, Aoife Lynskey, Sinead Keane, Laura Mitchell and Ann Mare Starr, with Ryan, in particular, expected to nail down a place in defence for the Kilkenny clash.

For the full preview see page 52 of this week’s Connacht Tribune