Dubs’ strong start undone by Galway

A tough 10-minute spell in the first put paid to an impressive showing from Dublin at a toasty Parnells as they succumbed to Galway last weekend.
They had scorched into a 1-5 to 0-2 lead after just 12 minutes as they looked to build on their opening day win over Clare. But Galway stopped the rot and struck 2-4 in jig-time, a salvo that possibly saved their day, handing the Westerners a 2-8 to 1-9 half-time lead.
Faye McCarthy had made quite an impact for Dublin in her first senior county season and her goal direct from a 80 metre free saw the hosts build a nice lead. It added to a scores from Aisling Maher and Siobhan Kehoe
Aoife Donohue, though, quickly set about turning the game in Galway’s favour and she pounced on uncleared attacks to knock home goals in the 14th and 23rd minute.
It helped them edged into a two-point lead. Despite the setbacks, Dublin had reason to feel optimistic going into the second half. The good vibes grew further when, two minutes after the restart, McCarthy pointed again.
But Galway had sorted their problems out at half-time and, playing with an extra defender in their own half, Dublin could make little headway in attack where the Connacht side’s half backline of Lorraine Ryan, Rebecca Hennelly and Heather Cooney was superb.
Building from their own half, they were clinical and, time and again, were able to find their danger players Ailish O’Reilly and Donohue.
Dublin defended bravely with Aisling Carolan having her moments at number six but the concession of frees and a penalty would yield 1-5.
They were in contention until the clinical finish from a penalty in the 47th minute from Hennelly put significant daylight between the teams.
Dublin had introduced Ali Maguire at half-time and brought on Claire Donnelly, Zoe O’Donoghue as well as debutantes Eimear O’Leary and Megan Lewis but the experienced Galway girls had come good.