Nine point half-time lead proved crucial for Galway to claim win as Dublin stormed back in the second half
Dublin 0-11
Galway 1-14
The Dublin minor camogie squad suffered their third straight All Ireland Championship defeat this afternoon in TU Dublin Grangegorman at the hands of Galway.
Dublin started the game well but fell away in the second quarter of the opening half allowing Galway to build up a nine point half-time lead.
That nine point first half cushion proved crucial by the end of the game as the Dubs put in an excellent second half and outscored the visitors by nine points to six.
The game started at a frantic pace and it was clear from early on that both sides were up for the game. Dublin opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a converted free from Aoibheann Stokes.
But two quick fire points Alannah Fahy and Caoimhe Kelly put Galway in front. Another successful effort from a free from Stokes tied up the game in the eleventh minute.
But Dublin’s intensity fell away in the second quarter of the half and Galway took full advantage hitting an unanswered 1-06 before the break.
The points coming from Caoimhe Kelly, Aoibheann Barry and Alannah Fahy with two each and two minutes from the short whistle corner forward Sophie Flynn smashed the ball to the net and Galway took a nine point lead into the half-time break with the score 1-08 to 0-02.
It was looking ominous for Dublin but they flew out of the blocks at the start of the second half and two converted frees from Aoibheann Stokes reduced the deficit to seven.
Galway hit back with a brace of their own from Alannah Fahy and Aoibheann Barry restored their nine point advantage.
Back came Dublin who were now enjoying the lions share of possession and a converted free from Aoibheann Stokes and an excellent point from play scored by Zara Thorne once again left seven points between the teams.
Just past the midway point of the second half Galway’s Sophie Flynn scored a fine point. But three in a row for the Dubs from second half substitutes Anna Thornton and Eimear Kehoe and a converted 45’ from Aoibheann Stokes had reduced the Galway lead to five points.
But the visitors stretched their lead back out to seven with two Aoibheann Barry points, one from play and the other from a free.
Dublin’s Aoibheann Stokes and Galway’s Aoibheann Barry exchanged frees as the game headed towards its final minutes.
In injury time Dublin were unlucky not to grab a goal, but Eimear Kehoe’s effort was deflected wide for a forty five which was worked to Zara Thorne to score her second point of the game but time ran out for Dublin and Galway held on for the win.
Scorers – Dublin – Aoibheann Stokes 0-07 (6f 1 ‘45), Zara Thorne 0-02, Anna Thornton 0-01, Eimear Kehoe 0-01.
Galway – Aoibheann Barry 0-06 (3f), Alannah Fahy 0-04, Sophie Flynn 1-01, Caoimhe Kelly 0-03.
Dublin: Mia Farrell, Caoimhe Tierney, Sibeal Cherry, Aoife Byrne, Milly Hughes, Nicola Cotter, Nina Brennan, Zara Thorne, Aoife Kenny, Aoibheann Stokes, Anna Simpson, Saoirse Behan, Sarah Power, Helen Reynolds, Amy Carey.
Subs: Kerri Austin for Anna Simpson (15), Anna Thornton for Saoirse Behan (HT), Eimear Kehoe for Amy Carey (38), Caoimhe French for Helen Reynolds (58).
Galway: Caoimhe Hickey, Kacey Coleman, Ava Crowe, Katie Scully, Grace Leen, Ciara McGrath, Zoe Rogers, Kayla Madden, Abbie Massey, Aoibheann Barry, Siobhan Carr, Clodagh O’Meara, Caoimhe Kelly, Alannah Fahy, Sophie Flynn.
Subs: Aoibhe Joyce for Zoe Rogers (36), Léana Nic Dhonncha for Grace Leen (41), Helena Tarpey for Siobhan Carr (44), Aoife Collins for Abbie Massey (48), Siobhan Mullins for Sophie Flynn (51), Leah Murphy for Kayla Madden (56).
