Galway v Kilkenny: U16 A Championship, Round 3

May 19, 2024

2024 U16 A Championship – Round 3

Galway v Kilkenny
Date: 19 May, 2pm
Venue: Duggan Park, Ballinasloe
Referee: Barry Nea

FT: Galway 2-5 Kilkenny 2-9

2024 Galway U16 team. Photo credit Colbert O’Sullivan

Match Report

The Galway U16 Camogie team fell short to Kilkenny on Sunday in a sun drenched Duggan Park. Galway managed to get back on level terms with Kilkenny in the second half but a late flurry from Kilkenny was key to their victory.

It was the kittens who started the brightest. Sadhbh Shefflin, daughter of Galway Senior Hurling manager Henry, delivered a great ball into Emily Phelan and Phelan blasted the ball into the back of the Galway net on the 2nd minute.. However, Galway responded very well. On the 6th minute, Galway captain, Katie Murray found Emma Barrett and Barrett struck the ball into the back of the Kilkenny net to leave the sides on level terms. Leah O’Donovan from play and two Phelan frees between the 9th and 12th minutes, cancelled out Galway’s goal and put Kilkenny in the driving seat again. Amy Kenny and O’Donovan swapped scores to leave three between the sides at the midway point of the half. Two more Phelan points and one from O’Donovan and Shefflin helped in extending the lead for Kilkenny but Murray through a free and Leah Forde replied for Galway to leave Kilkenny 1-8 to 1-4 ahead, heading into the half time break.

Scores were hard to come by in the second half with both sides only registering one goal and one point throughout the half. Leah Forde registered a free for Galway on the 37th minute of the half. Galway were unlucky throughout the half with Nina McKeown narrowly missing a goal opportunity. Kenny made another storming run and found Barrett and Barrett blasted the ball into the back of the net for her second major of the day. This left the sides deadlocked with 15 minutes of normal time remaining. It was Kilkenny who finished the strongest. Phelan replied with a free to edge Kilkenny back into the lead. But it was Kilkenny who snuck in for a late goal deep into injury time. Leah Horan must be given credit in the Galway goal as she denied Kilkenny twice before substitute Eleanor Dohney struck the ball into the back of the Kilkenny net as it finished Kilkenny 2-9 Galway 2-5.

The team have a break now until the end of June when they will be at home to Limerick on the 30th of
June. With Tipperary and Limerick still to come for the Galway side, victories in both these games will
be vital for the girls in order to ensure their spot in an All Ireland semi finals.