High stakes as Galway take on the Cats
THE O’Duffy Cup mightn’t decorate a new home for another four weeks but Galway and Kilkenny have everything to lose this Saturday when they meet in the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Semi-Final at Semple Stadium), Thurles (3.45pm).
Cork and Wexford’s clash in the curtain raiser feature the winners of ten titles since 2005 and the hurling fraternity will be licking their lips ahead of the Kilkenny/Waterford sequel, but the middle part of this triple header also brings its own attractions.
It’s quite simply a game neither side can afford to lose. Despite competing in their 11th consecutive semi-final, Galway have only the 2013 All-Ireland triumph to show for their consistency and will be determined to prove that was no flash in the pan. Kilkenny have been ever present in the final four but have suffered six final losses since their last success in 1994.
With one win each; this is the rubber match between the two form counties of 2016, but whoever doesn’t emerge victorious on Saturday will reflect in disappointment while the winners will get another chance to complete that elusive quest for the Holy Grail.
Kilkenny were league champions in May when they came through 2-7 to 0-7 winners, but Galway responded four weeks ago when a 1-12 to 0-10 victory in Freshford, a result which saw them book a direct route to the final four.
Under new manager Ollie Bergin, Galway have been very consistent with that league final reversal in Semple Stadium being their only black mark. A difficult opener against Tipperary saw them come through 1-13 to 1-10 before strong showings allowed comfortable margins over Dublin (5-9 to 1-7) and Derry (2-14 to 0-1) before the July 16 meeting with Saturday’s opponents.
After keeping Kilkenny to within a point against the wind at half time, the maroon and white opened up in the second period to give their most encouraging display this season as seven different scorers helped them to victory with Ailish O’Reilly’s goal the most defining.
“I don’t think you can take too much from it,” said Bergin during the week. “It was great to get the win. We take some confidence from that and we both knew at the time that we were back in the championship. We know this is going to be a different game and we have to bring our A game to win this semi-final.”
O’Reilly has been Galway’s top markswoman this year with 4-6 followed closely by Noreen Coen (4-5) while Niamh McGrath has contributed 0-16. These three will be complimented by hard workers Shauna Healy and Aoife Donohue with the dangerous Orlaith McGrath capable of damage.
Full coverage in this week's Connacht Tribune.