Galway 0-14

Kilkenny 1-8

Sarah Gaughran in Kinvara

THE Galway Intermediate camogie team got their National League campaign off to an ideal start as they overcame Kilkenny in windy conditions in Kinvara on Saturday. Conor Dolan’s charges showed how they have improved from their 2023 season campaign and the win was essential to help with building their confidence for the year ahead.

It was a game of two halves in Kinvara and Galway played with the aid of a strong wind in the first half. It was Kilkenny who opened the scoring with a free from Rachel Dowling in second minute, but was the only score that Kilkenny registered in the half.

Galway had some missed opportunities in the opening stages as they tried to ajust to the windy conditions, but they then began to find the range. Niamh Spellman with 0-7 (two from play), three points from Aoibheann Barry and two from their captain, Ava Lynskey, meant that the hosts went into the break with a commanding lead of 0-12 to 0-1.

Galway must be commended for their work rate throughout the half. The strong wind meant that Kilkenny had to use the short game to work the ball up the field but Galway hunted in packs to overturn the Kilkenny defence and worked hard at running off the shoulder to work their scores.

The Tribeswomen knew that scores would be hard to come by in the second half  as they were playing against the elements. Dickboro star, Dowling, Kilkenny main scorer throughout the contest, landed two frees before Spellman extended Galway’s lead on the 42nd minute with a well taken free.

Pictured: Galway’s Aoibhe Joyce is chased by Sofia Kerr of Kilkenny during the Division 2B league clash in Kinvara on Saturday. Photo: Don Soules.