AFTER negotiating their group campaign, Galway’s senior camogie team arrive at the knockout stages of the All-Ireland series on Saturday (Semple Stadium, 7pm) as they face Tipperary in the quarter-final.
It’s a repeat of their 2013 meeting when two Ailish O’Reilly goals gave the Tribeswomen a comfortable 2-19 to 0-9 victory before they overcame Wexford and Kilkenny to end a 17-year wait for the O’Duffy Cup.
The similarities with that memorable year haven’t gone unnoticed. A disappointing display in Kenny Park against Kilkenny was followed by a vital result eliminating Clare in Ennis. Galway’s form hasn’t stood out but they are in position to kick-start their title assault.
“Clare did put it up to us,” said manager Mark Dunne. “And we weren’t surprised. Maybe others were. Clare were fighting for their lives in that no more than us. We’d take a six point win no matter who we’re playing. Clare fought very dogged in that game.”
“We took our knocks, but we didn’t find just negatives in them. We found things we need to improve on. And we went back to the training field and we worked on them. There are no second chances anymore.”
They will be strong favourites against the Premier County who managed to reach the quarter-finals on the back of one win. Following three defeats to Cork, Limerick and Wexford, Tipperary needed a three-point victory against Offaly two weeks ago along with another favourable result.
“One win probably doesn’t paint the picture of how their year has been,” added the former Eyrecourt manager whose team were denied All-Ireland intermediate glory by Tipperary’s Cahir in 2016. “I mean a couple of their losses were marginal They didn’t take a clipping in any game.
“Give them great credit. Most teams would have laid down at that stage, but they got their act together and they fought tooth and nail to the last game and got through.”
Two Ciardha Maher goals and one for Orla O’Dwyer allowed Tipperary hang on for a 3-13 to 2-13 victory to allow them through on scoring difference.
While Galway should be good enough, this encounter carries danger as Tipperary will be revitalised. And in 2016, Wexford needed an injury time Kate Kelly point to come through against them the championship quarter-final.
“They’ll see it as they’ve nothing to lose and why shouldn’t they,” added Dunne. “They’ll go hard but probably play with a bit of freedom because of that. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing when it’s in knock out. Everyone’s going to go full out so it’s the best team on the day that pulls through.”
However, Galway handled the favourites tag with Dublin and Waterford while they never looked like losing in Ennis. Goals for Rebecca Hennelly and Maria Cooney ensured any fears were dismissed even if Clare were only one point behind with 10 minutes remaining.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
