Galway survive a stiff examination from the Banner

Galway 1-10Clare 1-7

Eoghan Cormican at Kenny Park

REALITY, harsh and all as it can be, came home to roost at Kenny Park, on Saturday as Galway staggered over the finish line to record their second win of the championship.

One swallow never made a summer and neither was Galway’s 11 point win over Wexford the answer to all camogie problems west of the Shannon. To be contenders for All Ireland glory the performance against the All Ireland Champions must be replicated week in, week out. Consistency is crucial.

What materialised in Athenry last weekend, however, suggests this side have a long way to before the finished article is produced. From very early on it became evident that Galway had yet to check out of cloud nine after their heroics in Enniscorthy. Clare however, weren’t long in bringing the Galway players back down to earth.

They were 0-5 to 0-2 ahead after 28 minutes and seemed poised to hand manager Tom Hogan a first win in this year’s championship, only to lose their way in the latter stages of the second half. Galway outscored Clare by 1-7 to 1-1 at the change of ends, including a 1-4 to 0-0 superiority blitz between the 50th and 57th minute.

For Galway, a spirited finish just about made up for a poor opening in which they failed to show the required urgency, while Clare went about building an impressive lead.

The Banner outfit held the initiative until the 52nd minute and at different stages led by margins of between three and four points but, for some reason they could never quite tighten the noose around Galway’s neck.

Their early enterprise stemmed from many quarters, with Ruth Kaiser, Chloe Morey, Fiona Lafferty, Sinead O’Loughlin and Claire McMahon busy and effective.

McMahon provided the opener following a foul on Shonagh Enright and though Sandra Tannian equalised for the Tribeswomen a flurry of points moved Clare three in front. McMahon (free) pointed after Susan Earner was adjudged to have fouled possession, with Sinead O’Loughlin also on target.

Brenda Hanney, now operating at full forward, collected a pass from club mate Martina Conroy before firing over. It was Clare, however, that were in command and McMahon sniped a pair of points to strike further hope of an upset.

Noreen Cone provided brief respite for Galway with a neat point from the left corner, but Fiona Lafferty, bristling with energy and invention, restored Clare’s three point advantage, striking a beauty off the hurl. Indeed their lead could have been greater had Sinead O’Loughlin and Claire McMahon converted chances. Those missed opportunities would come back to haunt them at the game’s end.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.