Golden’s early strike floors Galway rivals in All-Ireland U23 Camogie Championship
Ciara Golden’s goal after just 45 seconds proved to be the difference as Cathal Murray’s charges spent a sunny and windy afternoon chasing the Rebelettes who exacted revenge for last year’s final defeat.
Ciara Golden’s goal after just 45 seconds proved to be the difference as Cathal Murray’s charges spent a sunny and windy afternoon chasing the Rebelettes who exacted revenge for last year’s final defeat.
Indeed, the opening five minutes were a tough examination from the Munster outfit who’d benefitted from three previous provincial games and probably should have been out of sight with the gale force elements in their favour.
Amy McCarthy’s move in the first attack saw Emily O’Donoghue come in from the right and the full forward spotted the unmarked Golden for the game’s only green flag.
Sixty seconds later, Amy Sheppard’s darting run from the left was blocked by Galway keeper Laura Freeney. But a foul resulted in a Cork penalty which saw Ana Kearney come up the field and rattle the crossbar.
The rebound fell to Niamh McNabola but her attempt at goal was thwarted by Ava Crowe. The Carnmore defender was unfortunate to pick up two yellow cards over the hour leaving Galway to finish with just 14 players.
A Sheppard free and Orlaith Cahalane stretched Cork’s advantage to 1-2 to 0-0 on 10 minutes as Galway struggled to deal with an alert opposing defence. However, the Tribeswomen eventually broke through with Niamh McInerney tallying three minutes later.
Galway weren’t without opportunities and paid later for three first half wides. That being said, they were also unlucky with three other attempts cannoning off the woodwork. Cork reacted quickest each time to clear the danger.
Golden and Cahalane from distance made it 1-4 to 0-1 on 20 minutes before the industrious Emma Madden helped Caoimhe Kelly get off the mark. But Sheppard from play in injury time restored the six-point cushion for the visitors.
However, the stiff breeze blowing towards the town goal appeared stronger than Cork’s buffer and Galway hit the ground running after the restart leaving just two between them on 37 minutes.
Aoibheann Barry registered inside the opening 60 seconds before Madden picked out Kayla Madden for another score. A Katie Gilchrist free followed on 35 minutes. And then the hard-working Aoibhe Joyce helped Kelly convert and the gap was down to 1-5 to 0-6.
Galway started with seven of last year’s All-Ireland final team and also introduced Sarah Lyons. Ciara Hickey and new captain Katie Anna Porter were held in reserve with both expected to begin the league final against Waterford on Sunday week.
But Galway were outscored 0-6 to 0-1 over the next 20 minutes. Sheppard (3), Rose Murphy and McNabola were on target. Cahalane had one shot questionably waved wide but did get another point on 44 minutes – a low strike that Freeney deflected over the bar.
Kelly got Galway’s score leaving them 1-11 to 0-7 down on 55 minutes with Crowe having departed two minutes earlier. Galway refused to concede as McInerney and Kelly reduced arrears to five.
The Sarsfields corner forward completed her total in the final minute before Barry left three between them in injury time. Galway needed a goal that never came as Cork kept play down the other end before the final whistle sounded on 63 minutes.
With four teams qualifying from six for the All-Ireland semi-finals, nobody from the Galway camp will panic but tough tasks await. An away trip to Kilkenny, who walloped Waterford 3-16 to 0-4, is this Sunday.
A home contest against a Dublin team that drew with Tipperary follows Friday week with Galway needing at least one positive result. On this day, Freeney in goal; Reitseal and Caoimhe Kelly, Laoise McGrath, Aoibhe Carr, Joyce, Madden, McInerney and Barry did best.
Galway: L Freeney; R Kelly, L McGrath, A Greaney; A Crowe, A Carr, K Lawless; O Mullins, A Joyce; K Madden (0-1), K Gilchrist (0-1, 1f), E Madden; N McInerney (0-2), A Barry (0-2), C Kelly (0-5). Subs: S Lyons for Greaney (43), K O’Driscoll for Mullins (43), A Bloomer for Lawless (49), K Earner for Gilchrist (59).
Cork: A Kearney; M De Burca, A Barrett, M Murphy; L O’Donovan, L Dunlea, K Goulding; A Cashman, A McCarthy; N McNabola (0-1), R Murphy (0-1), C Golden (1-1); A Sheppard (0-5, 3f, 1’45), E O’Donoghue, O Cahalane (0-3). Subs: E Curtin for O’Donoghue (43), A O’Riordan for Barrett (49), C Morrisson for R Murphy (54), E Duignan for McCarthy (55).
Referee: R Kelly (Kildare)