By Eanna O’Reilly

THE Galway senior camogie team travel to Nowlan Park on Saturday for their biggest test of the year when taking on national league champions Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final (3pm).

Galway are seeking to end a three year absence from the All-Ireland final and reach the decided for the first time since their title winning year of 2021.

Cathal Murray’s charges lost out at the semi-final stage to Kilkenny (2022) and to Cork last season. They will hope to avoid being absent on camogie’s biggest day once again this year. In order to do so however, the Tribeswomen will have to perform at a level they haven’t reached so far in 2024.

A patchy performance saw Galway come through a tight quarter final against Waterford on a 1-12 to 1-9 scoreline at Croke Park. The Tribeswomen did enough to win without being spectacular on the day, and Aoife Donohue’s second half goal was vital as Galway held off the Déise. A major improvement is necessary if the Tribeswomen are to overcome the league champions at Nowlan Park.

In a season in which the Galway panel has been ravaged by injuries at different stages of the year, there were no new concerns following their victory over Waterford. Shannon Corcoran is unlikely to feature during the remainder of the championship after picking up a shoulder injury against Down in round three. Ann Marie Starr suffered a knee injury against Cork in round five, and her availability is yet to be decided.

Galway’s opponents Tipperary go into this semi-final unbeaten in this year’s championship. The blue and gold have had the measure of the Tribeswomen twice so far this year, in two league meetings. Galway suffered a 3-10 to 1-13 defeat in the Ragg in the second round of the competition last February. Tipp’s Eimear McGrath was in razor sharp form on that occasion, scoring a hat-trick of goals.

The division one league final saw the sides meet again in April when Tipp recorded their first title win since 2004, with a dramatic 1-13 to 0-15 victory. Corner back Karin Blair was the hero for Tipp as she scored the winning point late in the game, while team captain Karen Kennedy tallied 1-3 from play from centre forward.

Pictured: Galway’s Niamh Kilkenny and Ally Henson are in the thick of the action against Waterford in the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Semi-Final at Croke Park.