Galway camogie on course for double

Current holders Cork are now the only team to stand in Galway's way of achieving a rare league and championship double this season.

Both teams came through their semi-final jousts - Galway, with a one-point win over Wexford (1-14 to 2-10 ), and Cork a little more comfortably with a 4-10 to 1-10 victory over Kilkenny.

Now all is set on September 13 for a repeat of this year's National Camogie League final in which Galway prevailed by three points. On that occasion Niamh McGrath bagged  1-7 of Galway's total, and again last weekend, she played a crucial part  in Galway's win.

Her injury-time point kept Galway's double dream alive against a resolute Wexford outfit that had refused to lie down. They had all the momentum until  a McGrath free was deflected out for a 45 in the seventh minute of additional time, and the Sarsfields sharpshooter made no mistake to snatch the coveted final berth.

Galway had the better of the opening period exchanges despite playing against the wind at Nowlan Park, and McGrath and Emma Kilkelly were among the early point scorers for Galway, while Wexford captain Shelley Kehoe and Ursula Jacob responded.

A brace of points from Ailish O’Reilly put two between the side before a Galway goal extended the lead to five after Eyrecourt full-forward Molly Dunne supplied the finishing touch to Niamh Kilkenny’s lengthy delivery with a one-handed flick.

However when Katrina Parrock’s long ball flew all the way to the net as Stacey Kehoe distracted Galway goalkeeper Susan Earner in an aerial challenge, Wexford had reduced the lead, but  two McGrath points helped Galway to a 1-8 to 1-4 lead at the break.

Galway continued where they left off with  two points from Niamh Kilkenny. but a point from Una Jacob and a second goal from  Stacey Kehoe kept Wexford in contention.

Entering injury time Dunne added a point, but still Wexford refused to yield, and when Galway conceded frees for fouls on Kelly, Sinnott and Lisa Bolger,   Wexford levelled for the first time since the opening quarter.

However the experience of McGrath proved crucial as she held her nerve to give the Tribeswomen a one-point victory, ensuring Tony Ward's charges are through to the final for a second time in three seasons.

Scorers, Galway: N McGrath 0-5; M Dunne 1-1; A O’Reilly 0-3; A Donohoe, N Kilkenny 0-2 each; E Kilkelly 0-1. Wexford: K Kelly 0-6; Stacey Kehoe 1-1; K Parrock 1-0; U Jacob 0-2; Shelley Kehoe 0-1.

Galway: S Earner, T Manton, S Dervan, H Cooney, S Coen, S Healy, L Ryan, N Kilkenny, C McGrath, A Donohue, N McGrath, E Kilkelly, C Finnerty, M Dunne, A O’Reilly. Subs: A Callanan for C McGrath.

 

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