Hanney sparkles as Galway get job done in fluctuating clash

Galway 2-11Kilkenny 1-7

Eoghan Cormican at Nowlan Park

THOUGH troubled only sporadically, Galway were made to roll up their sleeves before they finally emerged with their second win of the All Ireland camogie championship in this low-key affair at Nowlan Park on Saturday.

Having led 1-3 to 0-0 fourteen minutes in, it appeared the Tribeswomen were on course to record a comfortable victory. However, a resolute fightback from Kilkenny – in which they outscored Tony Ward’s charges 0-6 to 0-2 – threatened to undo Galway’s blistering start.

By the 42nd minute, Galway’s lead had been whittled to two – 1-5 to 0-6 – and though the visitors enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, the forward unit were struggling to find the target. That will certainly be a worry for the team management who was forced to alter his attacking lines shortly after the break. Aislinn Connolly came in for Noreen Coen, before Killimor’s Martina Conroy was introduced at the expense of Orlaith McGrath.

That said, it was the redeployment of Brenda Hanney from left half forward to the edge of the square that yielded most dividend. Having lost their way in the middle third, decisions they were making to excellent effect in the opening period became somewhat erratic while their shooting was needlessly rushed, a score was required and on 44 minutes, Galway secured their tonic.

Orla Kilkenny’s delivery was superbly plucked from the sky by Hanney who shook the net with a powerful strike. When Tara Rutledge, Niamh McGrath and Martina Conroy fired over successive points subsequently, it looked as if normal service had been resumed. Kilkenny, however, were not finished just yet.

As Lorraine Ryan prepared to clear her lines, Aoife Neary flicked possession away from the Killimordaly corner back and onto the loose ball was Edel Maher to net the first score from play by a Kilkenny forward.

That 53rd minute major reduced the deficit to five, 2-8 to 1-6. Though Galway were in the ascendency, the home side were presented with an opportunity to further reduce the gap when Sandra Tannion was adjudged to have tripped a Kilkenny forward.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.