Youthful Galway commence new campaign with a bang!

Clare 0-8

Eanna O’Reilly at Cusack Park

THE Galway senior camogie team opened their National League campaign with a comprehensive win over Clare on Saturday at Cusack Park in Ennis. Cathal Murray’s charges were far too strong for a limited home side, who lacked the sufficient quality to match the Tribeswomen during this contest.

Galway’s starting team had a youthful look about it, and the newcomers to the starting fifteen certainly did not look out of place on the day. With a number of positions to be filled in the team for this year’s championship, this was a very positive feature of the game for Murray and the management.

A strong opening quarter saw the Tribeswomen lead by 0-6 to 0-1 after 15 minutes. Aoife Donohue, Ailish O’Reilly, Carrie Dolan (0-3 frees), and Niamh Niland scores put them in the driving seat. Susan Daly tallied Clare’s opening point at the other end.

The home side outscored Galway by 0-3 to 0-1 during the next ten minutes. Áine O’Loughlin (0-2, 0-1 ’45), and Caoimhe Carmody pointed for Clare, while Niamh McPeake replied with a score for the Tribeswomen.

Clare’s momentum was soon halted, as Galway finished the half with three points. Dolan landed two impressive scores from play, before a point from Niland left it at 0-10 to 0-4 at half time.

Galway dominated the third quarter and outscored the Banner by 0-4 to 0-1. Niland tallied two excellent points, while Donohue and Dolan (free), also chipped in. O’Loughlin replied for Clare with a good score from the right wing.

At 0-14 to 0-5, the visitors were fully in control. The remainder of the game saw the teams trade 0-3 apiece. Dolan and Siobhán McGrath pointed frees, while substitute Niamh McInerney took a neat score from the right corner, after getting onto a great delivery from Ciara Hickey.

Pictured: Galway's Ally Hesnan tussling for possession with Clare's Rachel Minogue during Saturday's National Camogie League tie at Cusack Park, Ennis. Photos: Joe O'Shaughnessy.