Galway hold off fastfinishing cork to claim title

By Daragh Ó Conchúir
At Semple Stadium,
Thurles

Galway made a serious statement of intent at Semple Stadium, as they followed up an easy semi-final victory over champions Kilkenny by beating All-Ireland victors Cork to claim their first Irish Daily Star Camogie League Division 1 title in ten years.
Cork had conceded just 41 points in five games to date in the competition but their packed defensive system was ripped to shreds in the first half, as Galway took them for 2-10, with only one point of that coming from a placed ball.
The Tribeswomen have had a tendency to fade in the second half of games this season, probably a product of their youth, and they repeated that in the second half, allowing an 11-point interval advantage to be whittled down to three by the final whistle.
“It was a poor show from Galway in the second half,” said Galway manager Tony Ward. “It’s something for seven weeks’ time when we play Cork again (in the championship) we won’t get away with.