Galway v Dublin
Round 4 Very Ireland National League
It was a cold breezy afternoon in Kilbeacanty outside Gort on Saturday March 22nd. Dublin played up a slight hill but with the wind.
There was one change as published in the team sheet with Aisling Maher starting instead of Áine Rafter. Aisling lined out at half forward which meant Sinead Wylde moved to midfield to partner Gaby Couch. Aisling took up a position of sweeper which had worked so well for her last year.
It took until the 5th minute before the first score of the game which was a free for Galway’s Carrie Dolan, who went on to score 3 more frees in the first half.
By the 12th minute Galway were leading 4pts to nil when finally Dublin started scoring. Aoife McKearney scored 2 frees of her own followed by a fine point from play after great battling work by Aisling O’Neill. Aisling grabbed the next 2 Dublin scores with 2 fine points from play. McKearney scored 2 more which meant that after a slow start Dublin took the lead (Galway 0-06: Dublin 0-07).
There hadn’t been a threat on goal by either side until Galway’s No14 found the net after a handpass played her in past the Dublin defence.
2 minutes later Dublin had their own chance of a goal but Galway’s No3 pulled down Dublin’s Emma Moran just outside the box. Dublin had to settle for a point from Aoife Mc.
Final score of the half was another fine point by Aisling O’Neill.
Half Time in this very entertaining game was Galway 1-06: Dublin 0-09.
One note of concern was the high free count conceded by Dublin.
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