Galway senior camogie team aiming to bounce back after opening round defeat to Cork
THE Galway senior camogie team were well of the pace against Cork in their opening defence of the All-Ireland title at Kenny Park on Saturday.
The defending All-Ireland champions produced a flat performance on the day and struggled to keep pace with a determined Cork outfit. In truth, the visitors dominated from start to finish and were full value for their seven point victory.
Cork were sharper, quicker, and more accurate in all aspects, from their passing to their shooting, while their possession retention was far superior to the home side’s. By contrast, the Tribeswomen looked rusty and struggled to impose themselves on the contest throughout.
Playing with the aid of a strong wind in the opening half, Ger Manley’s charges wasted little time in asserting their dominance. Two early scores from Laura Hayes and Saoirse McCarthy (free) got the scoreboard ticking for the visitors.
A run and pass from Niamh Mallon at the other end set up Niamh McPeake, who opened Galway’s account with a point from the right wing. However, Cork responded with four consecutive points during the next ten minutes, as the strength of the wind told.
Scores from McCarthy (two frees), Isobelle Sheehan, and Sorcha McCartan had the Leesiders ahead by 0-6 to 0-1. The home side were struggling to supply their forwards with possession and were also coming out second best in the middle third.
A foul on Mairéad Dillon saw Áine Keane convert a free, but Cork replied immediately with a score straight from the puckout, when McCarthy pointed from the left wing. The Cork centre forward then sent over an impressive free from well inside her own half, to leave the visitors 0-8 to 0-2 ahead by the 20th minute.
Aoife Donohue replied for Galway with a neat score at the other end, after some good work from Dillon and Shannon Corcoran in the build-up. However, Cork responded with three consecutive points.
Galway just couldn’t get a handle on McCarthy, who added her second from play, before further scores from Amy O’Connor (free), and Ava Fitzgerald left Cork 0-11 to 0-3 ahead.
Keane’s second free briefly reduce the margin, before Cork hit back straight from the puck-out once again. On this occasion, it was McCartan who impressively struck her second score over her shoulder. Shortly after, McCartan set up Cork’s influential midfielder Mille Condon for a point, which ensured that the Leesiders took a 0-13 to 0-4 lead into half time.
Galway had the aid of the wind in the second half but soon fell further behind when the play resumed. Amy O’Connor punished two fouls by the Galway backs, who continued to struggle against Cork’s slick forward unit.
At this stage, Galway found themselves chasing an 11-point deficit. To their credit, the Tribeswomen didn’t fold and outscored Cork by 1-4 to 0-1 over the next minutes. Keane (free), McPeake, and Aoibheann Barry (0-2 frees) pointed during this spell, before Ailish O’Reilly added a goal after getting onto Dervla Higgins’ delivery.
Although Cork’s scoring rate slowed down during the same spell, the Leesiders continued to open up the Galway defence and create goal chances. Sarah Healy was tested twice and came up with two good saves, from Orlaith Cahalane and McCarthy, while a shot from O’Connor rattled the crossbar.
Cahalane subsequently gathered possession and sent over Cork’s sixteenth point. O’Connor soon tallied her first from play, before substitute Ciara O’Sullivan wrapped up a comprehensive win for the Leesiders; pointing after a good pass from McCartan.
Ultimately, the visitors were full value for their win in Athenry. The defeated home side were best served by Sarah Healy, Dervla Higgins, Áine Keane, Niamh McPeake, and Niamh Mallon (prior to injury withdrawal).
Galway: S. Healy; K. Manning, R. Black, R. Hanniffy; D. Higgins, C. Hickey, K.A. Porter; A. Hesnan, K. Madden; A. Keane (0-3 frees), N. McPeake (0-2), A. Donohue (0-1); S. Corcoran, N. Mallon, M. Dillon. Subs: A. O’Reilly (1-0) for Mallon (inj. 31), C. Dolan for Madden (36), A. Barry (0-2 frees) for Keane (51), C. Kelly for Donohue (51), A. Kelly for Porter (60), N. Niland for Dillon (60).
Cork: A. Lee; I. O’Regan, L. Coppinger, A. Egan; A. Fitzgerald (0-1), M. Murphy, I. Sheehan (0-1); M. Condon, L. Hayes (0-2); H. Ryan, S. McCarthy (0-6, 0-4 frees), E. Murphy; O. Cahalane (0-1), A. O’Connor (0-4, 0-3 frees), S. McCartan (0-2). Subs: R. Murphy for Ryan (54), C. O’Sullivan (0-1) for Condon (60).
Referee: Liz Dempsey (Kilkenny).