Galway conquer Cork, but sides to meet again in league decider 

Sarah Healy of Galway in action. Pic: James Lawlor/Inpho

Division 1A: Cork 0-13 Galway 0-19  

These great rivals will meet again in a fortnight to contest the Division 1A Very national camogie league final. The westerners came to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday afternoon with their destiny in their own hands. 

They needed a win to be sure of qualifying for the decider and once the sliotar was thrown in, it was evident they were more than ready for the challenge. A small bit of revenge too exacted for the 2024 All-Ireland final defeat.

Cork were already through to the league showdown which might explain their lack of motivation and while they rested a few of their more experienced players, the visitors fully deserve all the plaudits.

That said, it is sure to be a different tune when the sides collide in Semple Stadium in a fortnight after both counties finished with four wins out of five. It will be Galway’s sixth successive final appearance (victorious in 2022 and 2023).

Dublin, meanwhile, are relegated after finishing bottom of the table.

Cathal Murray will be delighted with his charges, especially as they had to fight hard coming with their backs to the wall.

Niamh Mallon was unavailable due to a family bereavement and she was replaced by Aoife Donohue.

Vice-captain Donohue and captain Carrie Dolan (0-10) were outstanding in what was essentially a formidable team effort.

Galway took the lead on the quarter hour mark and they would hold most of the aces thereafter.

Against the wind in the first-half they were full of energy with Donohue in the thick of the action. The sides were level on two points apiece before Cork captain Méabh Cahalane made a vital interception on AnnMarie Starr as she headed for goal.

Katrina Mackey put the hosts one up after seven minutes, but Galway set about quieting the home support, shooting the next seven points without reply.

Excellent at the back, and reading the play very well up front Ailish O’Reilly was in splendid form landing a trio of points from open play and there was one from Olwen Rabbitte.

Dolan availed of ill-discipline to make the score 0-9 to 0-3 on the 25 minute mark.

When Amy O’Connor converted a free in the 29th minute it was Cork’s first score in 22 minutes.

Galway finished the half with points from Dolan and Áine Keane to go to the dressing-room 0-11 to 0-4 in front.

Ger Manley introduced a couple of subs for the second half and despite Emma Murphy getting them off the mark in the first minute upon the restart, Dolan and Donohue remained tenacious.

At the end of the third quarter Galway powered 10 points clear, 0-16 to 0-6.

Cork played better for the remainder of the hour with Laura Hayes coming forward twice to raise white flags.

Such was the gap however, Amy O’Connor was forced to go for goal from a 50th minute free but Galway were in no mood to concede.

April 13 is the key date for camogie enthusiasts to see these illustrious teams go at it again.

Scorers for Cork: A O’Connor (0-5, 0-4 frees), K Mackey, E Murphy and L Hayes (0-2 each), S McCarthy (free) and C Finn (0-1 each).

Scorers for Galway: C Dolan (0-10, 0-9 frees), A O’Reilly (0-4), A Donohue (0-3), Á Keane and O Rabbitte (0-1 each).

CORK: A Lee; M Murphy, L Coppinger, A O’Neill; M Cahalane (Capt), L Treacy, L Hayes; S McCarthy, M Condon; E Murphy, K Wall, C O’Sullivan; C Finn, K Mackey, A O’Connor.

Subs: O Mullins for K Wall, R Harty for A O’Neill (both half-time), N O’Leary for M Condon (40), M De Burca for M Murphy (52), A Sheppard for C Finn, D O’Brien for C O’Sullivan (both 57), N McNabola for S McCarthy, C Kingston for M Cahalane (both 59).

GALWAY: Sarah Healy; Shauna Healy, D Higgins, R Hanniffy; C Hickey, E Helebert, AM Starr; C Dolan (Capt), O Rabbitte; J Hughes, A O’Reilly, Á Keane; C Kelly, A Donohue, C Kelly.

Subs: N Niland for A O’Reilly (41-42 temp), N Niland for C Kelly (49), S Rabbitte for J Hughes (54), A Kelly for C Hickey, A Lynskey for AM Starr (both 58), R Kelly for O Rabbitte (60), S Gardiner for R Hanniffy (63).

Referee: Justin Heffernan (Wexford).