Galway v Cork: Division 1A Round 5

March 29, 2024

2024 National Camogie League Division 1A – Round 5

Galway v Cork.
Date: 30 March 2024, 2pm
Venue: Duggan Park, Ballinasloe
Referee: Barry Nea

FT: Galway 0-14 Cork 0-9
Player of the Match: Carrie Dolan

Galway are through to the 2024 VRY National League Final on the 14th of April after they secured victory over Cork in semi final on Saturday in Duggan Park

WATCH: Match vi d eo
LISTEN: Match commentary – Galway Bay FM

Match Report

A strong second half performance helped Galway in booking their spot in their third consecutive league final, this time against Tipperary. Ten points from player of the game, Carrie Dolan, were vital to the success on the day against a familiar Cork outfit in Duggan Park on Saturday.

It was the visitors who started the brightest with a point through a free from player of the game in the All Ireland Final in 2023, Amy O’Connor. Dolan stepped up to take the lead for Galway, a lead that they would never relinquish, as she slotted over four frees between the 6th and 17th minutes to leave it 0-4 to 0-1 in favour of Galway. Galway almost scored the opening goal of the game on the 16th minute when Siobhán McGrath laid off a great pass to Ailish O’Reilly but O’Reilly was unlucky to be pulled for over carrying. O’Connor lobbed a ball in from a free on the 19th minute and Galway were lucky that it hit off the crossbar and just missed landing in the back of the net. Fiona Keating and Sorcha McCartan got the opening scores from play of the half on the 26th and 27th minute of the half to leave one between the sides but it was Dolan who finished the half off the strongest with two points, one from a free as Galway went in 0-6 to 0-3 ahead at half time.

Galway were playing against the breeze in the second half and they knew it was vital that they worked hard throughout the 30 minutes to ensure they kept their lead. Cliona Healy reduced the deficit to two in the opening minute of the half with a well taken score from play. Dolan and O’Reilly replied quickly with two points for Galway. O’Connor replied with a free but Galway kept pushing on a responding straight away to the Cork score with points from Aoife Donohue and Orlaith McGrath to leave Galway 0-10 to 0-6 ahead heading into the final quarter. McCartan almost got in for a goal chance but her spot was brilliantly saved by Fiona Ryan in the Galway net. O’Connor from play and Dolan through a free swapped scores on the 46th and 47th minutes. Aoife Healy and O Connor closed the gap to two with six minutes of normal time remaining but it was the current league champions who finished the strongest with two Dolan frees and a point from Donohue as Galway ran out 0-14 to 0-9 winners on the day.

Galway will face familiar rivals Tipperary in the final in Croke Park on the 14th of April at 2:30PM. Tipperary, the only side to have overcome Galway in the league to date will prove a difficult challenge for Galway as they have been one of the form teams to date in the league and they are also looking to end a twenty year gap for silverware at senior level. Galway will be happy to be back in the final as it gives them an extra game in the lead up to the championship.

GALWAY: F Ryan; R Hanniffy, R Black, D Higgins; S Gardiner, A Keane, C Hickey; A Hesnan, A Starr; A Donohue (0-2), A O’Reilly (0-1), N McPeake; C Dolan (0-10, 0-8F), S McGrath, O McGrath (0-1).
Subs: N Kilkenny for Gardiner (53), S Rabbitte for S McGrath (57), A Crowe for Higgins, N Niland for McPeake (both 62).

CORK: A Lee; M Murphy, L Coppinger, M Cahalane; L Hayes, L Treacy, I O’Regan; S McCarthy, A Healy (0-1); O Cahalane, F Keating (0-1), A Thompson; A O’Connor (0-5, 0-3F), C Healy (0-1), S McCartan (0-1).
Sub: E Murphy for C Healy (45)

ADDITIONAL