McGrath and Dervan a class apart as Champions Galway move one step closer

Niall McIntyre

Galway 1-11 Tipperary 0-8

It’s a Galway-Kilkenny All-Ireland camogie final for the second year in a row.

The Tribeswomen didn’t have it all their own way against a plucky Tipperary side, but a few glimpses of their free-running and free-wheeling best was enough to down a gallant Premier challenge, and to leave them one win away from retaining their title for the first time ever.

Galway’s game-plan is all about direct-running and off the shoulder passes and in this sense, Orlaith McGrath is its absolute embodiment. The Sarsfields club-woman wasn’t a part of their panel last year, but she’s fitted in seamlessly and brought even more to the table along her way. Alongside McGrath, Carrie Dolan is as skilful a camogie player as you’ll see while Rebecca Hennelly and Ailish O’Reilly are just as dangerous. Against Galway, there’s a threat in every corner, with each of their forwards having scored by the 35th minute of the game.

It’s difficult to defend against that.

Sarah Dervan is majestic, Orlaith McGrath is pure dynamite ⚡️

It's a Galway-Kilkenny All-Ireland final for the second year in a row 🏆 pic.twitter.com/21268DbgR9

— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) November 28, 2020

They started this game with the confidence of All-Ireland champions. Niamh Hanniffy opened their account after a minute with a well taken score from open play before Carrie Dolan slotted a free.

Straight down the middle, that’s the Galway way and this direct running style was causing the Tipperary defenders plenty of problems in the early stages. Aoife Donohue is a dynamo in midfield and her blend of fire, speed and skill is a sight to behold. Off the shoulder, Carrie Dolan was popping up, Orlaith McGrath was popping up. When they get a run on you, the Tribeswomen are dynamite.

Carrie Dolan popped up for the crucial one, collecting an Orlaith McGrath pass before leaving Aine Slattery with no chance. Tipp were up against a finely tuned machine and this had all the hallmarks of an uphill battle for them as they trailled by 1-2 to 0-2 after ten minutes.

Carrie Dolan nets a good team goal for Galway. They lead in a game that is slow to come to life in Cork.

Galway 1-02 Tipperary 0-03 now https://t.co/7UrkKcedk5 pic.twitter.com/0bburMGBhy

— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) November 28, 2020

But the Premier had the stomach for the battle. The industrious Roisin Howard seems to pop up everywhere, and she scored a hard earned point to settle them into it. Cait Devane nailed a couple of frees while the irrepressible Karen Kennedy roared into the game. The Thurles Sarsfields club man is athletic, she’s brave and she’s one of the most skilful hurlers in the game. Behind her, stalwart Mary Ryan was showing all her experience and class as she saved Tipperary with a couple of last ditch interceptions. All these years on, Ryan is still a class act.

And for large parts of that first half, Tipperary were on top. Their backs, led by Ryan and Aoife McGrath, were dominant as they defended like tigers to keep the ball out of Galway hands. They didn’t have enough to show for this dominance though, with a tendency for the pot-shot rather than the simple pass in attack costing them. Billy Mullaney has certainly brought this team on though, and there are plenty of positive signs for the future because the absence of Nicole Walsh and Aishling Moloney through injury, and Orla O’Dwyer because of her AFL commitments meant this was always going to be a difficult task.

All around the field however, Galway had too much. In defence, Sarah Dervan was faultless, letting nothing passed her for the hour despite some hard-running from Sarah Fryday.

At half-time, Galway led by four and they never looked like losing that advantage in the second half. Aoife Donohue kept on making the magic happen while Dervan repelled attack after attack. Hennelly and Kilkenny got in on the act as Galway moved one step closer to keeping the O’Duffy Cup out west for another year.