Cork 0-21

Galway 0-10

WE are not used to seeing this under Cathal Murray’s watch – a Galway camogie team being wiped out in a big game.

Under his stewardship which has already delivered two All-Ireland and three National League titles, the Tribeswomen have been a consistent force among the sport’s elite.

But that reliability came undone in worrying fashion in the Division 1A league final at Semple Stadium on Sunday when they were virtually second best all over the field against a fired-up Cork outfit.

Just a couple of weeks after beating the Rebels in a group game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Galway had few answers as the All-Ireland champions turned the tables in spectacular fashion to claim a first league crown in a dozen years.

Of course, the outcome of that group encounter was misleading. Already through to the league final Cork rested six influential performers – including Sunday’s Player of the Match Aisling Thompson – while Galway had to win to secure a place in the decider for the sixth consecutive year.

Frankly, the game was already up for Galway by half-time. Backed by the wind, they alarmingly failed to score from play in the opening 30 minutes and trailed by 0-9 to 0-4 at the break.

There was a real zip to Cork’s display and their overall pace had some of the Galway players chasing shadows. Apart from Thompson’s three points, they also had big scoring contributions from Saoirse McCarthy, Amy O’Connor, Sorcha McCartan and Emma Murphy.

Only for the defensive heroics of full back Dervla Higgins, Galway could have been taken to the cleaners altogether. The admirable Athenry player resisted bravely under a near constant barrage, including executing a brilliant block down on Clodagh Finn early on to deny a goal chance.

Unfortunately, Higgins was the only Galway player to more than hold her own, although Carrie Dolan, despite sending three frees off target, Ciara Hickey, Áine Keane (early on) and substitutes Sabina Rabbitte and Niamh Niland had their moments, while Rachael Hanniffy improved in the second half.

Galway’s starting forward division – Dolan moved to midfield for the throw-in  – failed to register a solitary flag from play and it was a deflating sight to see key players like Aoife Donohue, Niamh Mallon and Ailish O’Reilly all removed from the action.

Given Galway’s consistency over the past six seasons, it’s tempting to excuse their troubles on Sunday as just an off day, but when you drill down into the overall performance, it underlines that this is a team in transition and a couple of their longer serving players lack the cutting edge of old.

One thing for sure, Murray has a big job on his hands to refocus his squad for the championship after this 11-points trimming. The signs were ominous from early on. Cork were devouring the breaking ball while only Keane appearingcapable of winning primary possession for Galway.

Pictured: Galway’s Niamh Niland is chased by Aoife Healy of Cork during Sunday’s Division 1A Camogie Final at Semple Stadium on Saturday. Photo: INPHO