Galway 2-15

Wexford 2-15

By Eanna O’Reilly

The Galway senior camogie team saw a late lead slip through their fingers when two injury time frees from Wexford’s Anais Curran snatched a draw for the home side in Enniscorthy on Saturday afternoon, in the second round of the group stages of the championship.

It was no more than the Slaneysiders deserved, after a performance which was characterised by impressive quality, work rate and hunger, against a Galway side which entered this game as overwhelming favourites. For the second week in a row, the Tribeswomen failed to play to their potential, and appeared laboured and flat for a large part of the game.

The visitors made a bright start in Enniscorthy, with the opening two points coming from Niamh Mallon, who subsequently had to retire injured, and Carrie Dolan. Wexford opened their account with a point from full forward Joanne Dillon, before Dolan got her second at the other end to make it 0-3 to 0-1 after five minutes.

Wexford’s Ciara O’Connor (free) and Aoife Donohue exchanged points, before the home side scored the opening goal of the game. Anais Curran fired to the net after a pacey run and low shot past Sarah Healy to give the home side a major boost early.

Carrie Dolan replied with a point for Galway, but the Slaneysiders then hit two in a row, through Chloe Foxe and Curran (free). Galway trailed by two points, but an error from Wexford ‘keeper Laura Dempsey saw Mairéad Dillon capitalise for a goal.

Curran pulled back a point for Wexford (free), but Galway dominated the remainder of the first half, outscoring the home side by 0-3 to 0-1. Niamh Niland, Áine Keane and Niamh Kilkenny tallied scores, while Curran tallied her second pointed free at the other end as the visitors led by 1-8 to 1-6 at half time.

With the wind behind them in the second half, Galway looked to be in a good position to push on, but it was Wexford who edged the scoring by 0-4 to 0-3 in the third quarter. Curran (0-2 frees), Linda Bolger, and Foxe traded scores with Dolan (0-3 frees), as the home side narrowed the margin to the minimum.

A goal from Aoife Donohue appeared to give Galway the edge, but within a minute, Foxe raised a green flag for Wexford at the other end. The Tribeswomen responded well, and appeared to be stretching for home, when they outscored Wexford by 0-3 to 0-1 during the next five minutes.

The outstanding Donohue landed two excellent points, either side of one from Orlaith McGrath, while Curran scored her first from play at the other end. At 2-14 to 2-11 ahead late in normal time, Galway were in a strong position.

Pictured: Galway’s Aoife Donohue who scored a goal and three points in Saturday’s All-Ireland senior camogie championship draw with Wexford.