The Galway Intermediate Camogie team suffered their first defeat in the Glen Dimplex Championship on Saturday. They lost out by three points to Clare.
Galway had a convincing win over the '23 Premier Junior All-Ireland Champions during the league - but with some players missing due to exams - the tribeswomen faltered without the likes of Kayla Madden and Caoimhe Kelly.
It was Galway who got off to a great start with two points in the opening five minutes, one through a free, from their top scorer on the day and their only scorer of the first half, Aoibheann Barry. Clare kicked into gear however, scoring 1-3 without reply in a six minute period. Points from play from Kate O’Gorman and Ella Cahill, a free from Aisling Cooney and a goal from Regan Conway meant that the Banner county were in the driving seat at the midway point of the half.
Clare failed to score again before half-time, and Barry brought Galway back into contention as she pointed three frees for the tribeswomen. Substitute Sophie Flynn almost had a goal chance in the 30th minute, but it was defended well by Sophie Cullen in the Clare net. Galway would have been happy to weather the early Clare storm, however they would have been looking to utilise the wind advantage in the second half to help them kick on. As it was, Clare went in 1-3 to 0-5 ahead at half time.
Galway had the ideal start to the second half with three unanswered points through Aoibhe Joyce, Ava Bloomer and Barry in the opening nine minutes to bring them back into the lead. However, like the opening period, Clare hit 1-3 without reply between the 42nd and 48th minutes to restore their lead.
Two Cooney frees, a point from Cahill and a further goal from Cooney meant that they had a nice four point lead heading into the final few minutes of the half. Katie Donohue and Bloomer did get in for a goal chance in the 21st minute, but both players had their shots well stopped by Cullen and Conway. Reitseal Kelly and Cahill swapped points in the 52nd and 54th minutes, while Barry added another free to her tally in the 58th minute.
Galway had one more chance to level the contest in the 63rd minute. A cross-field ball from Donohue found Joyce, but her shot was well saved by Cullen again as it finished Clare 2-7 Galway 0-10.
Galway will be disappointed that they didn’t keep their winning streak going. Furthermore, they will be disappointed that they didn’t convert their goal chances throughout the contest - chances that could have secured their victory.
They will now have to regroup before they face Westmeath in two weeks time - in what will be a tough game for this youthful Galway side.
