CAMOGIE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: KILKENNY'S Gala All-Ireland hopes are hanging by a thread after they were well beaten by last year's finalists Cork in Kilmanagh yesterday. The National League champions went down 5-11 to 0-7 as Cork collected a fifth victory from six championship outings.
With one round of games remaining, the table is delicately poised. Cork and Galway have booked their places in the semi-finals but there is a three-way shoot-out for the other two slots. Tipperary and Wexford are locked on six points, two ahead of Kilkenny.
Cork had matters wrapped up by half-time, with a 3-5 to 0-3 lead. Síle Burns goaled after 16 minutes and she struck again four minutes later. Less than sixty seconds later, Briege Corkery bagged Cork's third goal to establish a 3-3 to 0-1 lead. Amanda O'Regan added two late goals for Cork.
Meanwhile, champions Wexford ensured they are still in with a real chance of making the semi-finals after a 3-8 to 2-8 victory against Tipperary on Saturday at Semple Stadium. Una Leacy was the heroine with a 2-2 haul and her match-winning goal arrived almost three minutes into stoppage time with the scores at 2-8 apiece. Off the ball, Tipp corner forward Jill Horan clashed with Wexford wing back Aoife O'Connor and Horan was issued with a straight red card.
Tipp held a 1-5 to 0-5 half-time advantage as Mairéad Morrissey prodded home the goal after 10 minutes following an error by goalkeeper Mags Darcy. Wexford were back on terms two minutes after half-time as Leacy supplied Ursula Jacob for Wexford's first goal before Tipp's Claire Grogan scored a goal from a 20-metres free. With nine minutes left, Wexford led by three points before Tipp hit back with scores from All Stars Philly Fogarty and Grogan (2) to level the game. A draw looked on the cards but Leacy had the final say with a deft flick
Galway are assured of a semi-final berth after a 3-10 to 0-6 win over Dublin in Killimor on Saturday. Goals from Deirdre Burke and Brenda Kerins helped to open up a 2-3 to 0-3 half-time advantage. With 13 minutes remaining Ciara Lucey's penalty was saved by Galway goalminder Susan Earner. Two minutes later substitute Molly Dunne sealed Galway's victory with her side's third goal.
