Galway v Down
Venue: Páirc Esler, Newry (map)
Date: 1 Jul 2023, 3pm
Referee: Eamon Cassidy

Live match commentary via Galway Bay FM (3pm)

FT SCORE: Galway 1-18 Down 0-10

MATCH REPORT

By Sarah Gaughran, Galway Camogie PRO
The Galway Senior Camogie team made it 3 wins from 3 in the Glen Dimplex All Ireland Senior Camogie Championship on Saturday when they overcame Down in Páirc Esler in Newry. Galway were dominate from the outset with Carrie Dolan very accurate on the frees while Down were mainly relying on scores from their captain Niamh Mallon throughout the contest.

Galway made four changes to the side that overcame Clare in the second round game in Ennis. It was Galway who started the brightest with four Carrie Dolan frees in the opening 6 minutes. Niamh Mallon got Downs opening score on 8 minutes through a free. But, on the 10th minute, Niamh Hanniffy took on the Down defence with one of her powerful runs and she made no mistake in sticking the ball in the back of the Down net to leave six between the sides. Sarah Spellman and Aoife Donohue continued to extend Galway’s lead with some well taken points. Galway were working well as a team and this was evident on the 22nd minute when Niamh McPeake and Donohue worked hard to set up Hanniffy for her second score of the day while on the 24th minute, a great ball out from Dervla Higgins on the half back line found Dolan and Dolan made no mistake in slotting the ball over the ball to get her first score from play. Mallon replied with Down’s second score of the day through a free on the 25th minute of the half. Dolan and Mallon exchanged two frees each before the end of the half to leave it Galway 1-10 Down 0-4 heading into the break.

Donohue opened the scoring in the second half with a point from play inside the opening minute. Mallon got her fifth free of the day on the 33rd minute while Áine Keane and McPeake worked hard to set up Shannon Corcoran and Corcoran ensured the ball was slotted over the bar. Dolan and Mallon exchanged frees on the 41st and 43rd minutes. Dolan through a free, Corcoran and substitute Ailish O’Reilly all added points to Galway’s tally to leave 13 between the sides heading into the final ten minutes. Mallon added two more points through a free and from play on the 56th and 57th minutes. O’Reilly replied with a free but Sarah Louise Graffin and Dearbhla Magee tried to reduce the deficit with some well taken points from play. Substitute Orlaith McGrath, who made her return to the team yesterday after missing out last year due to a cruciate ligament injury, had the final say on of the game when she got her name on the scoresheet to leave it Galway 1-18 Down 0-10.

The win left Galway top of the group. They did have to wait until after the Kilkenny V Tipperary game to see where they stood in the knockout stages but they were lucky enough to receive a bye in the draw and as a result this left them with a spot in the All Ireland Semi Final. Galway will be delighted that they have managed to keep their momentum. Cathal Murray will also be happy that he has gotten game time into a lot players while he also has players such as Orlaith McGrath back from injury as he heads into the knockout stages with the team and management.

GALWAY SCORERS: C Dolan 0-9 (0-8f), N Hanniffy 1-1, A Donohue 0-2, S Spellman 0-1, S Corcoran 0-2, A O’Reilly 0-2 (0-1f), O McGrath 0-1

ADDITIONAL

• Galway maintains 100% record in All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship – Commentary and Reaction – Galway Bay FM

MATCH PHOTOS

Photo Credit: Louis McNally