Galway ladies continue their senior camogie championship campaign on Sunday when they host Cork in Pearse Stadium at 5pm.
Unbeaten after two rounds - thanks in the main to substitute Veronica Curtin - Galway can expect to face a tough challenge from visitors Cork. Although the Leesiders were beaten by Wexford last weekend, 0-14 to 1-8, they defeated Clare easily, 3-16 to 0-10, in their first game.
That should provide a warning to Galway, who needed the introduction of Veronica Curtin for a second week in succession to turn the tide in their favour when playing Clare in the All-Ireland championship on Saturday afternoon in Kenny Park.
Although Galway were behind until the last quarter - they won 1-10 to 0-7 - once again the arrival of Veronica Curtin as a substitute was a major factor in turning the game Galway’s way.
Curtin, who was so impressive when introduced against Wexford, scoring 2-2, could have expected a starting jersey last Saturday. However she had to make do with a place on the bench, and then repeated her heroics when called in to rescue a bad situation. Sprung in the 48th minute by team manager Noel Finn, she went on to score 1-3 (2fs ).
Galway were behind and lacking leadership up front when the Kinvara star arrived onto the pitch and went into full-forward. She immediately took control and scored a terrific individual goal and point from play. She put a shape on the forwards and gave Therese Maher and Orla Kilkenny a target point for their deliveries.
In the first half Galway had been very lethargic and were behind by 0-6 to 0-3 at half time.
Clare’s Fiona Lafferty from Inagh, who lined out at midfield, had been inspirational for the Bannerwomen. Her pointed side-line cut early in the second half was one of the highlights of the game. Clare went further ahead after Galway conceded a harsh penalty that Chloe Morey converted and they looked the more likely winners until Curtin’s arrival onto the scene.
Curtin could well have scored another goal, too, if substitute Fionula Keely had popped a pass before getting crowded out. Now it will be interesting to see if, after scoring 3-5 as a substitute, she makes the starting 15 this Sunday.
Sinead Cahalan was solid at full-back and the half back line of Ann Marie Hayes, the powerful Therese Maher, and Heather Cooney did a lot of good things in the second half. Team captain Brenda Hanney worked hard up front and Orla Kilkenny and Emer Haverty had some bright moments at midfield.
