Close encounter puts Galway 2nds in prime position
16 March 2009
Last Tuesday evening saw Galway 1st take on Galway 2nds, in what was a must win encounter for the 2nds. Galway 1st having already suffered a surprising defeat to Greenfields 2nds earlier on this season had all but seen their chances of retaining the Connacht title disappear but following Tuesday nights defeat Galway 2nds are now in the driving seat. The stage was set for an epic encounter with the back drop of the senior interpros only days away Galway 1st were without the full services of both Grace Melvin and Claire Heskin. Combined with the loss of influential duo of Meave Faherty and Sarah Melvin due to illness the 1st would be granted a reprieve for having suffered this defeat. Nothing however could detract from the manner in which the 2nds secured their much needed victory, in fact on several occasions a neutral supporter could of been forgiven for thinking that these were two separate clubs and not in fact for the most part team mates, as every ball and contest was met by a collision of sticks and bodies. The opening salvo in this keenly fought contest went to the 1st's as they started strongly with Tara Melvin pulling the strings in midfield, while this early domination Galway 1st failed to convert any of their chances and in large part thanks to the heroics of another Tara, Tara Browne in goal for the 2nds the contest would of surely been over by half time. The tempo of the game and pace continued all thorough the first half with the defences on both sides coming out on top, the 1st led by their captain Susan Joyce and 2nds found strength in their captain Grainne Murphy. So at the interval the sides were level, however after the break a resurgent 2nds began to gain a foothold in the contest with with Alison Hynes and Deirdre Hatton finding more space and time than they had previously, the roles suddenly were swapped as keeper Emily Molloy pulled off a string of fantastic saves to deny the seconds. Eventually a following some good play down the right involving Eavan Murphy, Deirdre Hatton and Niamh Walsh, Molloy's goal was breached as the 2nds took the lead. Again the game swung in favour of the 1sts as they went in search of an equaliser but again Timmins, Glanville and Hammon were to deny the forwards any clear chance. It was until late in the day that 2nds finally found some breathing room following a well worked penalty corner routine Freddie Timmins was on hand to dispatch a breaking ball into the net. Still there was more drama as again the 1st pushed forward and were denied a clear scoring opportunity thanks to a foot, hence Michelle Carey stepped up to take on Tara Browne 1 v 1. Carey display a deceptive coolness for one so young, while her nemesis Browne towered between the posts, and it was the post assited by a stick from Browne that was to deny young Carey a chance to reduce the deficit for the 1st. So it was not to be the 1st day as the 2nds continued their remarkable season.
