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Murray calls for championship reform, saying break nearly cost Galway

Cathal Murray's Galway are back into the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship final for a thir...



Murray calls for championship...
Hurling

Murray calls for championship reform, saying break nearly cost Galway

Cathal Murray's Galway are back into the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship final for a third consecutive year. 

That's after they bear Tipperary 1-13 to 0-12 at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.

Orlaith McGrath with the goal there for the Tribeswomen in the second half.

Speaking to OTB Sports at full-time manager Cathal Murray said it was great to come out on the right side of a tough battle.

"Tipperary made us work and we knew they would, they're a quality team.

"They beat us in the league last year and we just about beat them in the championship so we knew they'd come at us with everything they had and they did."

Murray felt that the four-point win was far from a perfect display from his side.

He said the championship format almost cost them.

As they topped their group they had not played since 31st July while their opponents Tipperary came through their quarter-final against Waterford last week.

"It wasn't the best performance we ever had.

"I think the four-week break needs to be looked at.

"There's no point working hard and topping the group and then having to sit and watch everyone else play for four weeks, it's not giving advantage to the team that tops the group.

"It's very hard to get yourself right for an All-Ireland semi-final with that [break].

"We knew Tipperary would have a big, big advantage and in fairness, we started well but we didn't put scores on the board and that bit of rustiness was there and that cost us in the first half."

Murray was also unhappy with Dervla Higgins' sending off. 

The corner-back was shown a straight red card for a striking action.

It appeared though to be a case of mistaken identity with Galway's number six Emma Helebert the player who carried out the strike.

Murray said they will appeal it.

"Hopefully Dervla [Higgins] gets off. I think it was a case of mistaken identity.

"I thought she played really, really well and she doesn't deserve to miss an All-Ireland over that.

"Dearvla's adamant she didn't do anything so hopefully it'll be sorted.

"Hopefully RTÉ [television] will pick up something and the red card will be rescinded."

Galway will meet Cork in the decider in a fortnight.

That's after they beat reigning champions Kilkenny by a single point in their last four encounter.

Murray is targetting serious improvement for the decider, saying today's display would not secure the O'Duffy Cup.

"We're in an All-Ireland final for a third year in a row, that was the goal all year.

"After last December we wanted to get back and we don't think we performed as well as we could have last week - we weren't let.

"We want to perform in two weeks' time and we have to but we'll need to improve."

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All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Galway GAA