Galway back in the league final after fending off Cork

Cork 0-13

Eanna O’Reilly at Pairc Uí Chaoimh

THE Galway senior camogie team booked their place in the Division 1A National League final for the sixth consecutive year, after an impressive victory over Cork at Pairc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday afternoon.

The Tribeswomen were full value for their win as they dominated the home side for three quarters of this clash, on a day when Aoife Donohue’s return was the catalyst for the their success.

Saturday’s victory over Cork sets Galway up for a league final against the Leesiders on Sunday, April 13, at Semple Stadium. Ger Manley’s charges had already qualified for the decider after defeating Tipperary in the last round, and Cork lined out with a starting fifteen minus some of their most experienced players.

The likes of Pamela Mackey, Hannah Looney, Ashling Thompson, Aoife Healy, and Sorcha McCartan were notable absentees for the Leesiders.

Playing with the wind at their backs in the opening half, the home side were quickest to settle into the game, leading by 0-3 to 0-2 after ten minutes. Saoirse McCarthy (free), Emma Murphy, and Katrina Mackey got early scores for the Leesiders, while Ailish O’Reilly and Aoife Donohue responded at the other end for the Tribeswomen.

The visitors then had a purple patch, tallying seven unanswered points during the next 11 minutes to put themselves in the driving seat. Galway really clicked throughout the pitch during this spell, demonstrating impressive quality in their play.

Ailish O’Reilly caught fire in attack, with three consecutive points, while Carrie Dolan (three frees) and Olwen Rabbitte also made Galway’s advantage count on the scoreboard. Their half back trio of Ann Marie Starr, Emma Helebert, and Ciara Hickey began to dominate and gave the team a strong platform. Galway stretched the home side with diagonal crossfield deliveries into their attack, while the hard running Mairéad Dillon also tested the Cork defence.

Amy O’Connor pointed a free for the Leesiders at the other end, but the Tribeswomen finished the first half impressively. A pointed free from Dolan was followed by a well taken point from Áine Keane, after some good work from Dolan and Hickey.

With wind advantage to come in the second half, the visitors were in a strong position at the interval as they led by 0-11 to 0-4. The Leesiders started the second half with intent, as the pacey Emma Murphy landed her second score from the right wing. But Galway responded within a minute when Dolan scored her fifth free of the afternoon.

Pictured: Galway's Aine Keane scoring a point against Cork during Saturday's National Camogie League clash at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Photo: INPHO/James Lawlor.