Galway 2-9

Tipperary 0-7

By DARREN KELLY AT DUGGAN PARK

GALWAY produced a devastating third quarter display on Saturday to qualify for a third consecutive All-Ireland Under-16 A camogie final following this eight point victory over Tipperary.

Leading by two points at half-time despite their opponents playing better, the girls in maroon showed why they’ve been the competition’s top side by taking control and finding the net twice to create sufficient distance between the teams.

Both goals required work, determination and Kate O’Sullivan. And the Killimor full forward made sure their efforts weren’t in vain as she offloaded either side of half-time allowing Róisín Coleman and Cara Giblin take the spoils and secure a sixth win in as many games.

These teams met just 13 days previously in their final group contest with the Tribesgirls seven point winners (2-11 to 1-7), leaving the Premier County with no shortage of motivation on their return to Ballinasloe in a physical contest.

And credit to Shane Ahern’s crew, they started strongly even if they needed 15 minutes to get off the mark.  Eve Kenny found Giblin down the left to get Galway’s only score during that period.

Both sets of defences impressed but Tipperary, led by the industrious Neasa Dwan, got on top after Grace Cleary equalised.

Coleman responded with a placed ball but that advantage was short lived.  tarting with Amy O’Connor in defence, Clodagh Davis found Dwan for a second equaliser on 20 minutes.

Cleary put the visitors in front for the first time and when Davis reacted to Dwan’s delivery on 25 minutes, the Munster side were 0-4 to 0-2 ahead.

They’ll feel they should have gained more but Galway were guilty of four wides. However, the hosts struck a critical 1-1 before the interval that ultimately determined this semi-final.

Galway launched an attack that keeper Faye Ahern batted away but Tipperary didn’t clear. Multiple players tried to make inroads before O’Sullivan took responsibility.

Pictured: Galway’s Róisín Coleman who scored 1-3 against Tipperary at Duggan Park on Saturday. Photos: Alan Leonard.