Galway 0-17

Dublin 1-11

By Eanna O’Reilly at Parnell Park

THE Galway senior camogie team laboured to a narrow first round championship win over Dublin at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Tribeswomen found themselves two points behind midway through the second half against a hard working and athletic Dublin side. However, a strong final quarter saw Cathal Murray’s charges tally the last five points of the game to avoid a shock result.

On a warm afternoon, Galway made a very strong start and established a 0-7 to 0-1 lead in the opening ten minutes. Niamh McPeake opened the scoring with a point from the left wing, after a good move involving Ailish O’Reilly and Niamh Niland. The hosts tallied the next two points, through Aisling Maher (’45) and Gaby Couch.

Galway soon clicked in attack, scoring six consecutive points from play, all of which came from the full forward line. Niamh Mallon (0-3), Niamh Niland (0-2) and Orlaith McGrath were razor sharp and the Dublin defence really struggled to contain them.

Aisling Gannon pointed for Dublin at the other end before Mallon converted her first free of the afternoon for the Tribeswomen. Galway looked fully in control with an 0-8 to 0-3 lead, but Dublin raised their game substantially for the remainder of the half.

With Aisling Maher redeployed as a sweeper, the home side got a foothold in the game, and showed their own scoring capabilities in attack, scoring 1-4 without reply. Maher (0-2 frees), Emma Flanagan, and Niamh Gannon raised white flags, while corner forward Aisling O’Neill raced through the centre of the Galway defence before firing home a goal in the 20th minute.

Dublin’s midfield pairing of Niamh Gannon and Gaby Couch were dominating in the middle third, while Kerry Finnegan was proving a strong presence at centre back. Galway found themselves trailing by 1-7 to 0-8 but managed to steady the ship with three placed balls from Mallon.

Pictured: Galway’s Aoife Donohue who produced a strong finish in their All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship win over Dublin at Parnell Park on Saturday.