Gala All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship Final Replay – Cork v Galway

Galway defeated Cork by 3-10 to 1-5 in the Gala All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship Final Replay on Saturday October 10th at MacDonagh Park Nenagh.

GALWAY captain Caroline Kelly got the ideal going away present as the Maroon overcame Cork in the Gala All Ireland intermediate camogie championship final replay at McDonagh Park, Nenagh on Saturday. The 22-year-old from the Davitt’s club is moving to London shortly for a year to continue her work as a nurse, and says winning the Jack McGrath trophy means a great deal to Galway.

“We won it in 2004, but it is different this time. We trained hard for this competition, whereas five years ago it was a case of getting together once the seniors were beaten and then concentrate on the intermediate championship. This year it was a big deal for us.”

Following a draw three weeks ago when they let a four point lead slip, the 3-10 to 1-5 scoreline was far more emphatic on this occasion. Kelly explains, “We tore into the game from the start, and for the past three weeks we trained really hard. Our manager Noel Finn is good friends with Bertie Sherlock (involved with Waterford hurlers and the Clare camogie team) and he came in to help out Basil Larkin with the training, and it was brilliant. We were hopping off the ground.”

U16 All Ireland medallist Laura Mitchell set the tone when the first half sub netted on 24 minutes. However, Eimear Watson answered immediately with one for Cork to leave the interval score, 1-6 to 1-2.

Galway were slowly beginning to take control, especially Sarah Dervan who was superb at centre back, as was midfielder Paula Kenny. When Aoife Lynskey found the net on 37 minutes and Caroline Murray followed six minutes later, it was all Galway, who maintained that momentum right to the finish line. Kelly was particularly pleased with the nature of the victory, believing it will impact positively on their senior set up for 2010.

“Galway already have a very good senior panel, so it means there will be more competition. It was very disappointing to be beaten by Kilkenny. Many people believe there is a senior All Ireland in Galway. Up to Saturday we hadn’t won anything major at senior level since 2004, so it would be great if our win is motivation.”

GALA ALL-IRELAND INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL REPLAY.

Galway 3-10, A Lynskey, C Murray 1-2 each, L Mitchell 1-0,M Conroy 0-4f,C Bowes, C Conroy 0-1 each.

Cork 1-5, E Watson 1-0, M Browne 0-3 (0-2f), N Dilworth 0-2

Match Preview

Galway will feel they left this one behind three weeks ago when Cork came with a late goal and a point to draw. Following on from the disappointment of their senior team, this is a game the Maroon and White badly need to win.

Cork, already have the O’Duffy Cup on Leeside, and with a strong panel could bring the Jack McGrath Trophy south as well. It could well turn out to be a battle between sharp shooters Michelle Browne and Martina Conroy to decide the outcome.

Verdict: Galway