Ciara Hickey happy Cathal Murray stayed as Galway manager

Michael Bolton

In their last test before the championship, Ciara Hickey views the Division 1A final as hugely important for the squad.

The All-Ireland champions finished second behind Waterford, having been defeated by them earlier in the season.

Their first meeting this season was less than ideal for the Tribeswomen, as a delayed return from the United States hampered their preparation.

"We had a great time over there and really enjoyed it", says Hickey.

"It was tough, but there was nothing we could have done about it, really, it was out of our hands.

"There was a couple of points in it at the end. Waterford were going to bring everything in that game. If preparation was better, things could have been different."

Like champions do, Galway bounced back to book their place in the final, with Hickey putting the win over Tipperary as the turning point this season.

Without a provincial championship, Hickey says there is a lot of importance for Galway in this final, against a Watetford side who they could meet in the summer.

"The Tipperary match, we felt we had to get a performance in there. Tipperary in the league, they normally come out on top.

"We hadn't won a match in The Ragg in three years playing them. There was a fierce wind; we knew at half-time if we were there, thereabouts, we would push on, and we did that.

"We got the win, and that changed things for us in the camp. In the last three games, we have won, it has changed since the Tipp match.

"The league is very important to us as we don't have a Leinster and Munster championship after this. We really want to get performances in, so the league final is no different.

"I think silverware would give us a bit more confidence going into the year."

A winner of three All-Ireland titles, manager Cathal Murray has been hugely successful with Galway.

Also manager of the U23 side, which Hickey is vice-captain of, it was not certain heading into this year that Galway would retain Murray, but she is glad Murray and the coaching team is still in charge.

"The professionalism they bring is massive. Everything is there for us and set up correctly.

"We were delighted to see the whole management team come back in for the U23s and the seniors."