49 It was a mixed year for Galway’s adult teams but yet again, the O’Duffy Cup will wait another year. While the seniors AllIreland semi-final defeat left very little to salvage for the season, the two final performances of the intermediates (especially the young players) gave hope that the future remains positive for the Tribeswomen. Galway’s season started in March in the remote village of Martinstown in Co. Limerick and Brenda Hanney’s goal helped them to a 1-16 to 0-10 win over Cork. Full of confidence, Galway headed to Ballinasloe and a Veronica Curtin goal inspired a convincing 1-17 to 0-6 over an improving Dublin side. But their season started coming unstuck when they travelled to face All-Ireland champions Wexford. On a day unfair to Galway’s cause as the intermediates were on duty in Derry, Aislinn Connolly’s goal had the Tribeswomen five clear but Wexford recovered to edge home 0-11 to 1-7. It was a day that Galway never really recovered from as they laboured to a 1-11 to 0-10 victory over Clare thanks to an Orla Kilkenny goal before struggling poorly in the semi-final against Cork as Jennifer O’Leary inspired the Rebellettes to a 1-12 to 0-10 success. A two month break had the desired effect ahead of the championship and Galway started with a satisfying 1-18 to 1-5 win in Banagher against Offaly thanks to Tara Rutledge’s goal. It began a convincing run as Hanney’s two majors ensured Galway beat Kilkenny 2-11 to 1-7. This was followed up with another tough battle with Clare in Cusack Park in a game largely remembered for the dressing room fiasco that saw players having to change in car parks. For the record, Niamh Kilkenny rescued Galway with an important goal as the visitors took a 1-13 to 0-11 win. The final game in Athenry on July 14th witnessed Galway’s finest display of the season when they blitzed Wexford with two early goals through Hanney and Martina Conroy before Conroy added a third before the break. Galway won by 3-14 to 0-10 to ensure they were the only unbeaten team during the group stages. Their reward was an All-Ireland semi-final but a five week break before a sharp Cork outfit. It showed a flawed championship structure but there could be no excusing a performance littered with so many basic errors for Galway and what must have been most frustrating for all players and management was that they only trailed by one point with seven minutes remaining having not played anywhere near well yet. Niamh Kilkenny attempted to lead the charge and sent over two excellent second half points but this just wasn’t Galway’s day (even road works towards the Marble City forced them to arrive later than planned) and their hopes of gracing Croke Park again vanquished for another 12 months with a 310 to 0-12 defeat. But pride was restored in the intermediate’s championship campaign that bared witness to a stunning comeback in Croke Park before failing to stamp the accelerator when replay glory seemed inevitable. The league witnessed three early successes against Antrim, Limerick and Wexford but they came out the wrong side of a 3-11 to 47 result against Derry. Confidence was high entering the championship and Galway kicked off with wins over Kilkenny, Cork and Wexford before drawing with Tipperary to top their group and set up a semi-final meeting with Waterford. A tough encounter ensued in Limerick but Emma Kilkelly’s move to centre forward swung the momentum with the maroon and white as her goal helped Galway to a 1-14 to 0-13win. Hopes were high entering Finals Day in Croke Park against Derry but Galway’s worst fears were answered as they conceded two early goals. Not for the first time, this intermediate side responded as Caitriona Cormican’s introduction changed the course of the game and goals for herself and Maria Brehony had Galway back in contention. Deirdre Burke’s major seemed to have turned things around in the second half but the concession of a late penalty meant the Westerners needed to be rescued. Up stepped Rachel Monaghan to win a critical free and her conversion ensured both sides would clash again. That meeting on September 29th in Ashbourne was another intriguing encounter as goals from Ailish O’Reilly and Orla Curtin gave Galway a commanding lead. But missed chances in the second half allowed Derry a glimmer of hope and late strikes from Katie McAnenly and Karen Kielt ensured the Jack McGrath Cup would rest with the Oak leaf county. A disappointing final to lose, the performances of young players like Tara Kenny, Lorraine Farrell, Clodagh McGrath and Ailish O’Reilly gave hope for Galway’s future along with the experience gained over these two high pressure matches. The year finished with a successful All-Stars campaign as Niamh Kilkenny and Niamh McGrath picked up awards and Sarah Noone claimed a Soaring Star Accolade. The failure to reach the All-Ireland senior final will cast a cloud over the 12 months but with promising young players at intermediate level, we’ll watch with interest how 2013 develops. GALWAY CAMOGIE SENIOR AND INTERMEDIATE GALWAY INTERMEDIATE TEAM Back row left to right: Sinead Keane, Sarah Noone, Rebecca Hennelly, Roiain Callanan, Paula Kenny, Emma Kilkelly, Rachel Monaghan, Aoibheen Kenny, Aisling Spellman, Tracy Murray Front Row left to right: Elaine O Sullivan, Deridre Burke, Colette Gill, Cladagh McGrath, Tara Kenny, Ailish O’Reilly, Maria Brehany, Orla Curtin, Lorraine Farrell, Aoife Lunskey, Catriona Cormican.
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