Galway Camogie’s star midfielder Niamh Kilkenny is a doubt ahead of their clash with Waterford in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship in Athenry on Saturday (5pm ).
Kilkenny was player of the match as the Tribeswomen got their 2018 campaign off to the ideal start with a 10-point victory over Clare at Pearse Stadium on Saturday.
The five-times All-Star suffered an injury to her little finger in the opening minute of the game and though it did not stop her scoring five points from play, it may keep her sidelined this weekend.
With new manager Cathal Murray having started his reign with a victory, having replaced Tony O’Donovan at the end of the League, Kilkenny says much of what they had been focusing on was replicated on matchday.
They opened against Clare with a goal and two points almost directly from the throw-in, but Kilkenny says there is still inconsistency that needs to be ironed out.
“We’ve been doing a lot of work with support play in training," she says. “We’ve brilliant forwards and everyone is looking to give the ball to the person in the best position, and thankfully it paid off [against Clare].
“It was our aim going out that we get off to a good start. It was something in the past we weren’t so great at doing, we usually finish stronger. We were delighted with our start, but we let Clare back into it again and they’re a team you can’t let that happen with, but thankfully we pulled through in the end.”
Waterford are next up on and Murray says two wins from the opening two ties is a priority.
"It’s a big week, we targeted the first two games, it’s a home game in Athenry on Saturday, and we’re looking forward to that and we certainly need to win it.”
Galway's 1-16 to 0-win over Clare was helped by a positive - a goal from Niamh Hannify, and points from Rebecca Hennelly and Niamh McGrath.
The visitors replied with points from Clare Hehir, Chloe Morey and Niamh O’Dea to make it 1-4 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter, but points by Carrie Dolan helped Galway lead 1-8 to 0-5 at the break.
Clare had no answer to Galway. Dolan, player of the match Niamh Kilkenny, and Ailish O’Reilly kept the scoreboard ticking over.
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