The 2021 League champions Galway did not enjoy the dream start they would have liked in the Very Ireland Division 1A opening league game against Tipperary, losing by 4-9 to 1-9.
Over the past two years there has only been a point between the sides in the same encounter, but on Saturday, three first-half goals for Tipperary proved the difference in the end.
Galway started with a host new names in the senior set-up, both on the pitch and bench, with several 2022 All-Ireland winning Intermediate winners togging out, and seven players making their senior debut by the end of the game.
Tipperary, however, started the brightest with an opening goal from Karen Kennedy following a blistering run from midfield, but two minutes later, a miscommunication on the Tipperary goal line and a long free-in from Carrie Dolan ended up in the back of the Tipperary net.
Tipperary responded with the next four points through Eimear McGrath (0-3F ) to leave Tipperary 1-3 to 1-0 ahead before Dolan scored Galway’s first point from play in 13 minutes.
McGrath replied with her fifth score of a day from a free four minutes later, while a wayward pass from Emma Helebert was intercepted by the Tipperary with Grace O’Brien laying off the ball to Rosin Howard who made no mistake in sticking the ball in the back of the Galway net for their second major of the day.
Dolan and McGrath exchanged frees before Aine Keane pointed a superb point from the sideline for Galway. A cross-field ball across the square was deflected out by Ryan, but unfortunately in fell into the path of the incoming Courtney Ryan who made no mistake to send the ball in the Galway net to leave Tipperary 3-6 to Galway 1-3 in front.
Galway, with the wind, opened through a Dolan free, with Caoimhe Maher replying for Tipperary with a well taken point from play. It was 10 minutes before Niamh McPeake scored her first point of the game as Galway struggled to get past the solid Tipperary defence.
Maher and Dolan exchanged scores on the 49th and 50th minutes to leave it Tipperary 3-9 Galway 1-6 with 10 minutes to go. Credit to Caoimhe Bourke, who was solid under the high ball for Tipperary as Galway kept dropping the ball short into the Tipperary keeper's hand.
Ailish O’Reilly slotted over a free for Galway on the 52nd minute while goal-hungry Tipperary secored their 4th goal of the day through Anna Fahy after some poor defending by Galway. O’Reilly added two 45s before the end of the game, but it was too late for Galway as it finished Tipperary 4-9 Galway 1-9
Galway will be hoping to get some more experienced players back into the panel before they head to Kilkenny next weekend as they look to keep their hopes of making in back to back league titles alive. The game will take place as part of a double header at 3PM in UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, followed by the Intermediate team's opening league game at 1pm.
Galway : Fiona Ryan, Katie Anna Porter, Shauna Healy (c ), Jennifer Hughes, Roisin Black, Emma Helebert, Siobhan Gardiner, Aoife Donohue, Rachael Hanniffy, Carrie Dolan, Niamh Hanniffy, Ciara Hickey, Aine Keane, Niamh McPeake, Ailish O’Reilly. Substitutes:SRabbitte for C Hickey (temp 17-20 ) S Rabbitte for KA Porter (HT ) N Niland for J Hughes (HT ) S Corcoran for C Dolan (55 ) L Kelly for N McPeake (57 ) & L Casserly for C Hickey (60 ). Tipperary: Caoimhe Bourke, Julieanne Bourke, Clodagh Quirke, Eimear Loughman, Karin Blair, Karen Kennedy, Mairead Eviston, Teresa Ryan, Grace O'Brien, Roisin Howard, Caoimhe Maher, Casey Hennessy, Eimear McGrath, Courtney Ryan, Eimear Heffernan.Substitutes:M Bourke for Blair (43 ), C Devane for C Ryan (45 ), N Treacy for E Heffernan (47 ), A Fahie for G O'Brien (50 ), G Moloney for C.Hennessy (50 ) & C Brennan for M Eviston (54 ).
