Galway made it two wins from two in the Glen Dimplex All Ireland Senior Camogie Championship when they overcame Offaly in Birr by 2-12 to 1-6 on Saturday.
Galway were in control throughout the contest, but Offaly, much-improved from their league game, did not let Galway have it all their own way, and were quick off the mark when Aisling Brennan pointed a fantastic free from the 65m line.
Carrie Dolan responded two minutes later before Sabina Rabbitte was denied a goal when Eleanor Clendennen pulled off a great save in the Offaly goal.
Both sides missed opportunities but Dolan added another free and a point before Galway struck the first major when Aoife Donohue found Rabbitte who took on the Offaly defence and blasted the ball into the back of the net.
A Mairead Teehan free was Offaly’s first score in 18 minutes, while Donohue replied with a point before Teehan finished the half with another free, closing the gap to Galway 1-4 Offaly 0-3 at half-time.
However, when Galway added 1-4 within 10 minutes of the restart, there was no way back for Offaly. Although a Rabbitte goal shot was fractionally wide, she added a point in the 32nd minute before a long ball in from Niamh Hanniffy was laid onto the path of Aine Keane, who blasted the ball into the Offaly net for Galway’s second major.
Dolan, with two frees, and Keane both added points to Galway’s tally for a 2-8 to 0-3 lead with 20 minutes remaining However, Teehan kept Offaly's hopes alive with a free and a goal, but Galway answered with scores from Dolan, Donohue and Hanniffy.
Although Sarah Walsh picked off a great score from play for Offaly and Teehan added another free, Rebecca Henneley's produced the final score from a free to ensure Galway have now two wins under their belt.
Galway’s top performers on the day were Shauna Healy, Maria Cooney, Dervla Higgins, Carrie Dolan, Aine Keane and Sabina Rabbitte, while Aisling Feeney, Roisin Egan, Aisling Brennan, Sarah Harding and Mairead Teehan all tried hard for Offaly.
Galway's next fixture is at home to Down on June 11.
Galway scorers: Carrie Dolan 0-6 (0-5F ), Áine Keane 1-1, Sabina Rabbitte 1-1, Aoife Donohue 0-2, Niamh Hanniffy 0-1, Rebecca Hennelly 0-1 (0-1F ). Offaly Scorers: Mairead Teehan 1-4 (0-4F ), Aisling Brennan 0-1 (0-1F ), Sarah Walsh 0-1.
Galway: Sarah Healy, Shauna Healy, Sarah Dervan, Heather Cooney, Tara Kenny, Maria Cooney, Dervla Higgins, Aoife Donohue, Niamh Kilkenny, Carrie Dolan, Sarah Spellman, Niamh Hanniffy, Aine Keane, Ailish O’Reilly, Sabina Rabbitte. Subs, Rachael Hanniffy for A Donohue (48 ), Ciara Murphy for N Kilkenny (48 ), Rebecca Hennelly for A O'Reilly (48 ), Catherine Finnerty for C Dolan (53 ), Siobhán Gardiner for D Higgins (55 ).
