'New Galway' will channel championship pain in 2024 - Áine Keane

A new-look Galway will commence their Very Camogie League defence fired by a summer of disappointment, warns Éine Keane.

The Tribeswomen are going for three in a row in the competition but missed out on the championship final for the second year in succession in 2023, going down in the semi-finals to eventual winners Cork.

"It definitely hurt," said the St Thomas' woman. "Especially as we didn't get there the year before either.

"We didn’t do ourselves justice in the All-Ireland semi-final last year and Cork made us pay for that.

"This year we’ll bring that hurt with us and hopefully get over the line."

Keane, who is currently in Ashbourne Cup action for University of Limerick, started games at half-forward and half-back for Galway last year and says there is a hungry crop of young players pushing for places.

"The league turned out good for us last year. Championship didn't go the way we wanted it to go but new year, new season and it’s going to be a new Galway.

"There are a lot of new players on the panel, a lot of young players. Those players are trying to progress, even myself, I’m still young, so this year will be massive to try and become starters or just benefit the team as much as we can.

"We also have the experienced players still there so that will all bind together hopefully and help us. A lot of them have won two All-Irelands and three leagues so having players like that who can teach us younger ones the roles that we have to play is massive, even if they aren’t playing what they give to us off the pitch is massive."

First up for Galway in Division 1A is a trip to neighbours Clare in the first round of Division 1 fixtures on 17 February. Division 2 starts on Saturday.

"It's always a tight game and I can guarantee this