'We have to right the wrongs of last year' - Galway out to go one better against Cork in finale

Irish Examiner

5 hours ago

Galway 1-18 Tipperary 1-11
Galway's redemption road became less and less certain for passengers lost over the course of the season.
All-Star full-back Roisín Black was travelling when the year threw in. A knee injury upon her return meant Saturday was her first start of 2025.
The rest of the Galway spine that pushed Cork to almost breaking-point in last year's final classic was ravaged and has not returned. The cruciate curse took captive centre-back Áine Keane and centre-forward Niamh McPeake. Also unavailable are Niamh Hanniffy and the legendary Niamh Kilkenny. Factor in too Orlaith McGrath stepping away.
And yet what you had on Saturday was a much more comfortable semi-final win than when these counties collided at this same stage 12 months ago. What you also had were muted and measured Galway celebrations that spoke to this semi-final, even for all those passengers lost, being nothing more than a means to an end.
There was none of the shouting and roaring and jumping of 12 months ago.
Galway's 2024 was so patchy that they maybe didn't realise they were capable of reaching Cork's level until they stood level with them coming down the stretch in the All-Ireland final. They're heading back to Croker and they believe.
'I hope so,' replied Galway manager Cathal Murray when asked if Saturday was clear evidence of his team being further down the road compared to last summer.
'It's a different feeling compared to last year when we weren't going well coming into the semi-final and were behind for most of that semi-final. Today, we were on top for most of the game.
'Losing the final last year was really hard. That was the goal all year to get back there. We are not being euphoric about getting there because we don't want to lose another one. We have to right the wrongs of last year.
'We were missing five all year, so this team has shown huge resilience to even get this far. To put in a performance like that with players who weren't on the team last year but have really, really stepped up to the plate, that is massive for the group.'
All-Ireland winning defenders Shauna Healy and Emma Helebert were both absent last year. Their return has strengthened a rearguard unit that held Tipp scoreless from play for the opening 26 minutes and limited them to 1-3 from play in total.
Within that rearguard, Dervla Higgins forced and feasted on turnovers. Rachael Hanniffy executed a superb man-marking job on Grace O'Brien. Ciara Hickey has built on her breakthrough All-Ireland final performance and is now the commanding figure in the half-back line.
Further forward, newcomers Mairead Dillon and Caoimhe Kelly sniped a pair each. Chisel the game down to its core, though, and it was Galway's leaders that continued them on redemption road.
When Tipp seized on the Karen Kennedy gift-wrapped goal and shot the last four points of the half to turn an 0-8 to 0-2 deficit into a 0-9 to 1-6 interval stalemate, it was the most dependable names in maroon who reasserted western dominance upon the restart.
Niamh Mallon was fouled within seconds, Carrie Dolan converted. A brief word on the latter would be to say that moving her inside didn't work and shouldn't be persisted with.
Their 38th minute goal was fashioned by Ailish O'Reilly and finished by Mallon. O'Reilly contributed three second-half points herself. Aoife Donohue popped up everywhere.
For Tipp, more semi-final torture. A seventh last-four defeat in eight seasons. This latest semi-final rejection, mind, carried none of the one-point heartbreak they endured the past two years. Their fitness was inferior to their opponents, so too was their decision-making and sharpness in possession.
Galway's redemption road has reached Croker. They knew it would be Cork waiting for them. We all did. Their conditioning and their bench contributors are about to be scrutinised like never before. Galway lived with Cork last August, the task now is to outlast the three-in-a-row chasing champions.
Scorers for Galway: C Dolan (0-6, 0-5 frees); N Mallon (1-2); A O'Reilly (0-5); M Dillon, C Kelly (0-2 each); A Donohue (0-1).
Scorers for Tipperary: G O'Brien (0-7, 0-7 frees); K Kennedy (1-1); E Heffernan (free), C Hennessy, J Kelly (0-1 each).
GALWAY: Sarah Healy; Shauna Healy, R Black, R Hannify; E Helebert, C Hickey, D Higgins; A Starr, O Rabbitte; N Mallon, M Dillon, A Donohue; C Dolan, A O'Reilly, C Kelly.
SUBS: S Gardiner for Helebert (42); S Rabbitte for Dillon, A Hesnan for Healy (both 52); N Niland for Kelly, J Hughes for O Rabbitte (both 61).
TIPPERARY: L Leeane; E Loughman, J Bourke, K Blair; C Maher, S Corcoran, C McCarthy; M Eviston, K Kennedy; C McIntyre, C Hennessy, E Heffernan; G O'Brien, R Howard, M Burke.
SUBS: E Carey for Blair (20 mins, inj); J Kelly for Burke (44); A McGrath for Maher (60).
REFEREE: J Heffernan (Wexford).