Galway proved convincing winners over Dublin in their opening Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship fixture in Parnell's GAA on Saturday.
A 3-18 to 1-12 scoreline was a good start for Mark Dunne's Galway women who had not been in competitive action for 10 weeks since losing the league semi-final to Kilkenny.
Dunne was satisfied with this opening performance, particularly after a slow start.
“It’s 10 weeks since we played a game in the league semi-final and you never actually know how that’s going to affect you mentally until you get out on the pitch," he said. "I thought once we settled in and chipped a few scores away, the team started to do what we’ve been training to do. The good side of that is that we took a knock and we came back.”
Although Faye McCarthy was Dublin’s leading scorer with a goal and four points, helping Dublin into a six-point lead, Aoife Donohue responded for Galway with two goals before half-time.
“They [the goals] were crucial, and we always looked like we had a bit of a threat when we got it up there," said Dunne. " We were just struggling to get it up there I suppose. It was a bit stop-start at times, but it was a perfect time to get them.”
Ailish O’Reilly was on target with a tally of 11 points, while Galway's defence curtailed Dublin to three second-half white flags. Rebecca Hennelly goaled from a late penalty to extend the winning margin.
“It’s great," said Dunne. "I suppose we were that eager waiting for it, we were over-eager so it’ll be good. You’d expect that should settle us going on from here, but it’s only one win. It’s a competitive championship, it’s a competitive group, so there’s a few things we’ve to learn from today, but if you can’t enjoy the wins, there’s no point.”
Next up for Galway is a home fixture against Waterford on Saturday July 1., while club action resumes this weekend.
Thursday June 22: Eyrecourt v Oranmore/Maree 8pm in Bullaun; Sarsfields v Killimor 8pm in Tynagh. Friday June 23: Davitts v Cappataggle 7.30pm at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe. Saturday June 24: Mullagh v Ardrahan 5pm at Loughrea GAA Grounds. Sunday June 25: Pearses v Castlegar 12 noon at Duggan Park; St Thomas v Kinvara 6.30pm at St Thomas GAA Ground.
