Wexford 1-12
Galway 1-10
It was another extremely disappointing trip to Croke Park for a Galway camogie side on Sunday.
In an absorbing encounter, Wexford deserved to claim their first title since 2007, although they were made to live on their nerves a little at the end by a resolute Galway outfit.
Despite Noel Finn’s team being seven points behind at half time, the contest ended in a welter of excitement when Aislinn Connolly’s free from under the Hogan Stand right on the hour flew all the way to the corner of the net to leave just two points between the sides.
Try as they might though, Galway could not break down a splendid Wexford rearguard one more time and so their search for a second All-Ireland continues.
The appearance of Jessica Gill at full-forward for the Tribeswomen was the big news from the throw-in.
The Athenry star had only made a number of substitute appearances in the round-robin stages of the championship as she continued her recovery from a cruciate knee ligament operation and it was a surprise for many to see her start.
Veronica Curtin, who had been in flying form on the edge of the square all season, was switched to the corner.
Even with Gill in attack, Galway found it difficult to break down the Wexford defence and only managed three points from play in the entire game.
Wexford were full value for their 1-8 to 0-4 advantage at half-time as Galway had not played at all well.
Galway were a different proposition after the restart though. Wing-back Niamh Kilkenny gave an exhibition of quality play, but they needed to take every chance that came their way.
They could not do that. And when Gill had a 34th-minute penalty that she had won herself saved by Mags D’Arcy, things looked bleak.
The St Martin’s custodian also advanced quickly off her line to deny Therese Maher and they were to prove critical interventions.
It looked as though the game was meandering to an inevitable conclusion when Connolly was fouled around 35m out.
When the Castlegar player’s shot ended in the back of the Wexford net, the Galway supporters erupted in joy and hope.
But it was not to be and Galway faced the motorway home, without any silverware once again.
This was the side’s second defeat at this stage in three years and team captain Therese Maher could not hide the pain of defeat.
"No amount of words is going to console anybody. You go to Croke Park to win. Another day over. Another All-Ireland lost."
Galway: S Earner; S Tannian, S Dervan, R Glynn; N Kilkenny, AM Hayes, T Manton; B Hanney, O Kilkenny 0-1; C Murray, T Maher, A Connolly 1-6 (1-4fs, 2 45s ); T Rutledge, J Gill 0-1(f ), V Curtin 0-1. Subs: E Kilkelly for Rutledge temp (9-18 ); L Ryan for Murray (28 ); Kilkelly 0-1 for Rutledge (ht ); H Cooney for Manton (39 ); J McGrath for Gill (56 ); A Lynskey for O Kilkenny (60+1 ).
