Galway 2-12 Offaly 1-6

A much-improved Offaly gave Galway a run for their money in their Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Group 2 second round clash at St Brendan’s Park, Birr last Saturday.

Following a surprisingly heavy opening round defeat to newly-promoted Antrim at the same venue seven days earlier, Offaly restored pride with a battling performance against the reigning All-Ireland and National League champions. And while an upset never looked likely, Susan Earner’s charges will take plenty of encouragement from the display ahead of their remaining group games which are away to a struggling Limerick side and Kilkenny.

The hosts were very competitive in the first half and only trailed by 0-3 to 1-4 at the interval. Aisling Brennan gave them an early lead from a free before Galway hit back with three points from Carrie Dolan, including one from a penalty which she drove over the bar.

Having been denied by a fine Eleanor Clendennen save minutes earlier, Sabina Rabbitte rattled the net in the 15th minute to extend the Tribeswomen’s lead to 1-3 to 0-1. But Offaly outscored them by 0-3 to 0-1 in the second quarter with Mairead Teehan accounting for their three points, including two from frees.

However, the game got away from the hosts in the first eight minutes of the second half when the All-Ireland champions scored an unanswered 1-4. Rabbitte already had a point before Aíne Keane scored a quick 1-1. Carrie Dolan tagged on a pair of frees to open up an 11-point gap before Teehan opened Offaly’s second half account from a free.

The Moneygall sharpshooter then grabbed a 42nd minute goal to reduce the arrears further, but Galway replied with three points on the trot from Dolan (free), Aoife Donohue and Niamh Hanniffy to restore their 10-point advantage.

To their credit, the Faithful never gave up and got two points back from midfielder Sarah Walshe and Teehan (free) before substitute Rebecca Hennelly (free) had the final say for the Westerners.

Scorers – Galway; Carrie Dolan 0-6 (4fs, 0-1 penalty), Sabina Rabbitte and Aine Keane 1-1 each, Aoife Donohue 0-2, Niamh Hanniffy and Rebecca Hennelly (1f) 0-1 each. Offaly; Mairead Teehan 1-4 (4fs), Aisling Brennan (1f) and Sarah Walsh 0-1 each.

Galway: Sarah Healy; Shauna Healy, Sarah Dervan, Heather Cooney; Tara Kenny, Maria Cooney, Dervla Higgins; Aoife Donohue, Niamh Kilkenny; Carrie Dolan, Sarah Spellman, Niamh Hanniffy; Aine Keane, Ailish O'Reilly, Sabina Rabbitte. Subs. Rachel Hanniffy for Kilkenny (46 min), Rebecca Hennelly for O’Reilly (46 min), Ciara Murphy for Donohue (46 min), Catherine Finnerty for Dolan (52 min), Siobhan Gardiner for Higgins (55 min).

Offaly: Eleanor Clendennen (Kinnitty); Sarah Guinan (Kilcormac/Killoughey), Aisling Feeney (Tullamore), Orla Gorman (Tullamore); Grace Teehan (Naomh Brid), Aisling Brennan (St Cillian's), Orlagh Phelan (Naomh Brid); Sarah Walshe (Tullamore), Louise Mannion (St Rynagh's); Christine Cleary (Shinrone), Roisin Egan (St Rynagh's), Sarah Harding (Birr); Siobhan Flannery (St Rynagh's), Mairead Teehan (Moneygall), Clodagh Leahy (Drumcullen). Subs. Sharon Shanahan (Shinrone) for Guinan (36 min), Kaitlyn Kennedy (Drumcullen) for Mannion (41 min), Jane Lowry (Kilcormac/Killoughey) for Cleary (45 min), Caitriona Doughan (Moneygall) for Flannery (50 min), Siobhan Killeen (St Cillian’s) for Feeney (54 min).

Referee: Philip McDonald (Cavan).

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