2024 Glen Dimplex All Ireland Senior Championship – Round 1
Galway v Dublin
Date: 25 May 2024, 2pm
Venue: Parnell Park, Dublin
Referee: Justin Heffernan
FT: Galway 0-17 Dublin 1-11
Player of the match: Niamh Mallon
Match Report
Galway got their Glen Dimplex All Ireland Senior Camogie campaign off to a winning start after they overcame Dublin in a tough contest in Parnell Park. It wasn’t plain sailing for the Galway side and it was clear the that Galway had lacked competitive games since their 6 week break from the league final.
Niamh Niland opened the scoring for the tribeswomen inside the opening minute with a well taken score from play. Aishling Maher through a free and Gaby Couch replied for Dublin to give them the lead for the first time after three minutes. However, Galway seemed to get a purple patch scoring six unanswered points. Three Niamh Mallon points, two from Niland and one from Orlaith McGrath left Galway 0-7 to 0-2 ahead by the 10th minute. Aisling O Neill ended the scoring spree with a point from play. Mallon hit her first free of the day on the midway point of the half but then Dublin got their purple patch. Points from Maher and Niamh Gannon and a goal from O’Neill left Dublin in the driving seat. Mallon through a free and Gannon from play swapped scores on the 24th and 26th minute, but it was Galway who finished the half out the strongest with two more Mallon frees as the sides went in level at half time.
A Maher free at the start of the second half put Dublin back into the lead but Aoife Donohue replied 7 minutes later to leave the sides level again. Sinead Nolan and a Maher free put Dublin two ahead of the Galway side. These would end up being Dublin’s last scores. Galway finished the half out the strongest with three points through Mallon, two from frees, another point from Niland and a free from substitute Carrie Dolan as Galway ran out 0-17 to 1-11.
Murray will be happy to have gotten some gametime into players such as Mallon, Niamh Hanniffy and Niamh Kilkenny but they will know that a big improvement is needed for the Galway side as they face a long spin down to Wexford on Saturday for their second round game. Dervla Higgins, Mallon, Niland and Sarah Healy performed well for Galway while Aishling Maher, Niamh Gannon, Gaby Couch and Aishling O’Neill were some of Dublin’s top performers.
ADDITIONAL:
- Galway open All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship with win – Commentary and Reaction – Galway Bay FM
- New recruit Mallon helps to get Tribeswomen over the line against Dublin – Connacht Tribune
- Galway camogie clinch vital win to kickstart championship – Galway Advertiser (Print/Digital)
Match Preview
The Galway Senior Camogie team are looking to put the disappointment of their Very Camogie League Division 1A final defeat against Tipperary behind them as they look to claim their first Glen Dimplex All Ireland Senior Championship title since 2021. Galway, under the stewardship of longterm manager Cathal Murray have a new look side with a mixture of youth and experience throughout the panel.
Galway have had the addition of many experienced players and previous All Ireland winners such as Niamh Kilkenny and Annmarie Starr return to the panel this year while Niamh Mallon from Down made her first appearance in the Maroon and White Jersey in the league final against Tipperary since she transferred to Sarsfields. They will also be hopping that players like their captain Róisín Black, who was forced off due to an injury in the league final and Niamh Hanniffy who saw very little time throughout the league, will be fit for their campaign.
Galway have also had some young stars pushing for positions on the team such as Niamh Niland, sister to Galway hurling stars Evan and Aaron Niland and while other young players such as Ciara Hickey, Ally Hesnan, Laura Kelly and Olwen Rabbitte were all involved in Galway’s success back in 2022 in the All Ireland Intermediate Championship. Galway will be looking to drive on and claim their 5th O’Duffy cup this season.
ADDITIONAL
- Five Changes for Galway Senior Camogie Team Ahead of All-Ireland Championship opener against Dublin – Galway Bay FM
- Galway v Dublin Camogie Championship Preview – The Manager’s Thoughts – Galway Bay FM
- Galway open campaign with away battle against the Dubs – Connacht Tribune (Digital/Print edition)
- Róisín Black: ‘We have to treasure these moments’ – GAA.ie
- Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championship – Round 1 Previews – Camogie Association
Senior Team
Captain – Róisín Black (Oranmore Maree)
Photo credit Don Soules Photography
Senior All Ireland Championship Group 2: Results to Date
- Round 1: 25 May – Dublin v Galway
- Round 2: 1 Jun – Wexford v Galway
- Round 3: 8 Jun – Galway v Down
- Round 4: 22 Jun – Galway v Clare
- Round 5: 29 Jun – Cork v Galway
