Galway’s opening round defeat to Cork would have stung, but the Tribeswomen have channelled that disappointment to produce some of their finest performances since.
After that 0-18 to 1-8 defeat at Kenny Park, Cathal Murray’s charges have gone about their business with ruthless efficiency. In the following three games Galway shot an impressive 5-44, including at least a goal in each.
Galway’s forward line is free-flowing and goal hungry. The reliability of captain fantastic Carrie Dolan from placed balls ensures this Galway team can punish their opposition in a variety of different ways and from all angles.
They can do so under pressure as well. The Round 2 fixture against Waterford was a must win for the Tribeswomen, and in a low-scoring, tight encounter they made their chances count. In the absence of former All-Star Niamh Mallon, Niamh McPeake stepped up to fire over 0-5 from play. A goal from Aoife Donohue made the difference in a 1-13 to 0-13 victory to put their opening round loss behind them.
That pressure didn’t go away either. Playing at home to Tipperary, knowing a victory would secure a direct passage to the All-Ireland semi-final, the Tribeswomen put in arguably their most impressive display.
This Tipp team has caused Cork the most problems this season, yet Galway swept them aside in an 11-point drumming. Sarsfields teenager Caoimhe Kelly was one of two changes made by Murray and she showcased yet another attacking threat to an already stellar forward line to notch up 1-4 in total. McPeake built on her impressive game against Waterford with a further two goals.
Going into their All-Ireland semi-final battle with Kilkenny, Galway confidence was well and truly restored. Still missing Mallon due to suffering a recurrence of a persistent shoulder injury and with two-time player of the year Donohue being marked by Beth Carton, most teams would have struggled.
But not this Galway team, who delved into their weaponry bag once more as Kelly, Niamh Niland and McPeake again stood up to the task. They were constant threats throughout, with Kelly firing over 0-4 and McPeake and Niland shooting 0-2 apiece. Dolan scored the game’s only goal from the penalty spot.
This Galway forward line is a Swiss army knife of attacking possibility. Coming up against the shrewdest defence of the season won’t be easy, but this offence has delivered under pressure already this season.
It would take someone brave to bet against this Galway attack on Sunday. It makes for a compelling match-up.
