2025 VERY National Camogie League Division 1A – Round 1
Kilkenny v Galway
Date: 22 Feb 2025, 2pm
Venue: Dunmore Training Centre (*change of venue)
Referee: Donnacha O Callaghan
FT: GALWAY : 0-13 KILKENNY : 0-11
Match Report
The Galway Senior Camogie team got there league campaign of to winning ways on Saturday when they overcame Kilkenny by two points in Dunmore Training Centre. The game which was orginally meant to be held in Nowlan Park was switched on Friday to Dunmore due to the pitch being in Nowlan Park falling foul to the harsh weather conditions that battered the country last week.
It was the Kilkenny who started the brightest with points from Miriam Bambrick and Katie Nolan in the
opening four minutes. Sabina Rabbitte got the visitors off the mark by the 5th minute with a well taken
point from play. But it was the hosts who continued to extend their lead throughout the half with points from Nolan, Asha McHardy and Katie Byrne to leave Kilkenny 0-5 to 0-1 ahead by the 8th minute. Niamh Mallon and Galway captain for the 2025 Season brought the deficit back to two when they slotted over two well taken scores from play. Aoife Prendergast got her name on the score sheet when she slotted over two points, one through a free but it was the Tribeswomen who finished the strongest with points from the Clarinbridge duo Dolan and Niamh Niland as Kilkenny went in 0-7 to 0-5 in front at the break.
Galway knew that a big second half was needed if they were to get a win. The introduction of substitute Ailish O’Reilly was instrumental in the victory for Galway as she pointed three second half points. Prendergast got Kilkenny of the mark two minutes into the second half with a free. Galway kicked on however with five unanswered points through Mairead Dillion, Ailish O’Reilly, Sabina Rabbitte and two Dolan frees two give Galway the lead for the first time in the game by the 50th minute. Prendergast tried to keep Kilkenny in touch with frees but it wasn’t enough as Olwen Rabbitte and two more O’Reilly points ensured that Galway would come away with the points.
Murray will be happy with his side. With some key players still missing, he will be happy to have come away with the victory against a strong Kilkenny side. Galway now face another away trip to next weekend when they make the long trip to Waterford. They will be hoping to make it two wins from two to keep their hopes of making a league final alive.
ADDITIONAL:
Photo credit: Billy Culleton
Senior Team
Captain: Carrie Dolan
Vice Captains – Aoife Donohue & Dervla Higgins
1. Sarah Healy St Thomas
2. Shauna Healy Ardrahan
3. Dervla Higgins Athenry
4. Alannah Kelly Portumna
5. Katie Manning Mullagh
6. Ciara Hickey Davitts
7. Rachael Hanniffy Oranmore Maree
8. Ann Marie Starr Killimor
9. Olwen Rabbitte Athenry
10. Sabina Rabbitte Athenry
11. Carrie Dolan Clarinbridge (C)
12. Niamh McInerney Shamrocks
13. Mairead Dillon Kilconieron
14. Niamh Mallon Sarsfields
15. Niamh Niland Clarinbridge
16. Fiona Ryan Ballinderreen
17. Reitseal Kelly Sarsfields
18. Ava Crowe Carnmore
19. Joanne Daly Sarsfields
20. Jennifer Hughes Carnmore
21. Katie Anna Porter Davitts
22. Laura Kelly Salthill Knocknacarra
23. Ava Lynskey Ardrahan
24. Tegan Canning Mullagh
25. Caoimhe Kelly Sarsfields
26. Aoibheann Barry Kinvara
27. Ailish O’Reilly Oranmore Maree
League Preview
by Sarah Gaughran, Galway Camogie PRO
The Galway Senior Camogie team begin their Division 1A Very camogie league with an away trip to Kilkenny this weekend where they will take on the Kittens in Nowlan Park at 2PM.
Galway will be looking to make a good start to the league and a place in the league final will be a target for Galway as they could face a long break with no competitive between the league and championship due to the fact Galway do not take part in any provincial competitions.
Galway, who are 2024 league and championship finalists will be hoping to go one better this year. With the return of key players like 2023 winning league captain Shauna Healy and 2019 and 2021 All Ireland winner, Emma Helebert, the Galway team look impressive on paper with younger players like Caoimhe Kelly from Sarsfields part of the panel.
Galway begin this Saturday with an away trip to Kilkenny. They are away again to Waterford on the 1st of March. They then welcome Tipperary and Dublin to Galway on the 8th and 22nd of March while they face a trip to Cork in a repeat of the 2024 All Ireland Senior final on the 29th of March.
Galway, under Murray’s leadership for a seventh year, will be hoping to improve on the 2024 season and go one step further to claim both the national league and O’Duffy cup. With a mixture of youth and experience, Galway will be hoping to go all the way in both competitions and use their disappointment from last year to help them in getting over the line.
Additional:
- Aoife Donohue ready for action again – GAA.ie
- Galway vs Kilkenny (National Camogie League Preview with Cathal Murray) – Galway Bay FM
Division 1A League Results to Date
- Feb 23 Round 1: Galway 0-13 v Kilkenny 0-11
