Galway ready to turn tables on Deise rivals in National Camogie league final
GALWAY will contest the county’s seventeenth national camogie league division 1 final at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny on Sunday (2:15pm).
Cathal Murray’s charges are seeking to bring home an eighth title to the county, and their fourth in ten years. Galway will face off against new league final opponents in the shape of Waterford, who are appearing in their first ever Division 1 decider.
The sides previously met in Athenry in February, when the Déise recorded a 0-12 to 1-5 victory. Waterford dominated the game and were full value for their win on the day.
However, the Galway players were significantly disadvantaged by a delayed return from their New York holiday, which saw them arrive back in Ireland just over 48 hours before the game.
Waterford have been very impressive during the league and topped a competitive Division 1A group. Mick Boland’s charges defeated Cork, Kilkenny, Galway, and Antrim, which saw them qualify for the final with a game to spare. They suffered an inconsequential defeat to Tipperary in the last round.
The likes of Keely Corbett-Barry, Lorraine Bray, Orla Hickey, Beth Carton, and Niamh Rockett are top class players with great talent and experience, who will certainly take minding from a Galway point of view.
Manager Cathal Murray is anticipating a very tough test on Sunday, and knows his side are in for a battle. ‘‘They [Waterford] have been the form team in the league without a doubt,’’ he said. ‘‘They were the only team that won four matches in the group, and they were already in the league final before they played Tipp [their only defeat].
‘‘They deserved to beat us back in February, they were by far the better team on the day. It’s certainly going to take our biggest performance of the year so far to be in with a chance. The girls know that themselves; they know they’re going to have to be at their very best on Sunday, because Waterford are a serious team.
‘‘It’s one of two trophies we can win in the year. It’s always good to be in a final and while we’re there, we’ll be going all out to win it. Some of the younger girls in the panel haven’t won a league medal. Things always go up a level when you’re playing in a final, and it will be a great test for us,’’ he added.
Galway goalkeeper Sarah Healy is hoping to win her fourth league medal on Sunday and also expects a huge challenge from Waterford. ‘‘It’s going to be a very tough game,’’ she said.
‘‘They’ve (Waterford) been very consistent in their performances. They beat us already in Kenny Park and they were very good that day. They definitely out worked and outplayed us, so we’ve a big challenge ahead of us.’’
Healy feels that the Tribeswomen have gradually improved during the league and are taking some decent form into the final on Sunday. ‘‘We started off very poor [in the league]. We weren’t happy with our performances in first two matches against Kilkenny and Waterford.
"But I think with each game we grew into it and the performances got better. We had a good win in the Ragg against Tipp which kind of kick started us, and our best performance came against Cork in the last group match.’’
The Galway number 1 is now one of the most experienced players in the side, and she credits the players from last year’s under 23 All-Ireland winning side with bringing freshness into the panel this season.
‘‘They’ve been huge for us. We have a young panel this year and I think they’ve really stepped up and taken their chance and have really grown into senior camogie. They’ve pushed everyone else around them every night at training and have really stamped themselves into the panel and the team,’’ she added.
During their last three victories over Tipp, Antrim, and Cork, the Tribeswomen have really found their feet, and Sunday represents a good chance for early season silverware.
Waterford will bring huge hunger and desire to win a rare trophy at senior level. However, if Galway play to their potential on the day, they should have too much for the Déise.