Kilkenny 4-12
Galway 3-7
FOUR goals conceded at inopportune times last Sunday proved fatal for the Galway senior camogie team as they surrendered their All-Ireland title to a maturing Kilkenny outfit who maintained their unbeaten season and booked a place in Croke Park.
Two majors for Michelle Quilty and Ann Dalton in the first half gave the Noresiders an early 2-5 to 0-3 lead and while Galway came back, Shelly Farrell and Denise Gaule registered green flags at critical periods after the break to ensure the Leinster side their success.
What will hurt Galway more was the nature of the goals conceded. Two sides associated with tight defending saw their defences easily exposed as both attacks made an impact.
Niamh McGrath opened Galway’s account in the fifth minute but Kilkenny were already threatening with Gaule and Elaine Aylward overturning the deficit. It was the start of a 10 minute spell which saw Niall Williams’ charges pulling six clear. Katie Power and Gaule added two more but their goal on 12 minutes set the tone for Galway’s afternoon.
Michelle Quilty took possession down the right before creating space. Her speculative effort dropped down for a routine take for Susan Earner only for the Eyrecourt keeper to let the sliothar slip over the line to gift Kilkenny a goal, and it was 1-4 to 0-1 on the quarter-hour.
The McGrath sisters were Galway’s chief scorers with Niamh sending over a placed ball on 18 minutes after Orlaith was fouled. And Orlaith got on the scoreboard 30 seconds later to reduce the arrears.
Just when the Tribeswomen seemed to be settling, Kilkenny struck a second blow. Galway’s defence, limited in space from the pressing Noreside attack, led to Shauna Healy attempting a hand pass to Niamh Kilkenny. 2009 captain Dalton reacted, intercepting the sliothar, but the Galway defence allowed her run. The St. Lachtain’s midfielder sensed the opportunity, kept going and hit the net for a seven point advantage.
Galway were struggling, panicking maybe, and needed a lift and it came on 25 minutes. Collette Dormer made it 2-5 to 0-3 before Niamh Kilkenny took possession around the middle with seemingly no where to go. Turning one defender she set off, did the same to another before cutting through a pair of black and amber backs.
Suddenly she was inside with goal in sight. A glorious run, she erred in trying to pick out a tightly marked Ann Marie Hayes but her efforts didn’t go unrewarded. The breaking ball came to Orlaith McGrath who hit the target and Galway only trailed 2-5 to 1-3 at half-time.
Already, Ward had introduced Aislinn Connolly and Ann Marie Starr and made a third change during the interval with Brenda Hanney coming on. All three would have an impact. Aisling Dunphy put six between them before Niamh McGrath set up Starr for a score on 33 minutes.
McGrath was involved again, this time with Connolly 60 seconds afterwards with the awaiting Hanney on the edge of the square. The Killimor woman’s first touch was too strong but her second off the ground got the better of keeper Emma Kavanagh.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
