CAMOGIE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP:HAVING ENJOYED great success at underage level in recent years, Kilkenny have made the breakthrough at adult level again, to qualify for the Gala All-Ireland senior camogie championship semi-final courtesy of their win away to Dublin on Saturday (2-14 to 0-4).
They will meet last season’s beaten finalists Galway on their home patch in Nowlan Park on August 15th. The other semi-final will see the title-holders Cork up against Wexford in a hugely-attractive double header.
This means Tipperary, who dominated early in the decade, are gone. They travelled to Páirc Uí Rinn with realistic hopes of getting the win they needed, but Cork edged them, 1-13 to 0-14.
The Premier women led starting the second half with the wind to their backs but were eventually worn down. The Cork goal came in the opening half from Emer O’Farrell following Gemma O’Connor’s hard work.
In the second half Cathriona Foley, Mary O’Connor and Jenny Duffy in defence stepped up to the plate for Cork. And with points from O’Connor, Rachel Moloney and Sile Burns they were back on track.
Although not named on the original team, Tipperary started Claire Grogan and Eimear McDonnell. McDonnell was in her usual good form, scoring three points, but Cork switched Rena Buckley who marked her closely. Cáit Devane left her mark with six points.
Ann Downey’s Kilkenny reeled off five unanswered points in the opening 10 minutes against the Blues. By half-time they were 1-11 to 0-1 up, the goal coming from Edwina Keane.
Elaine Aylward drove forward from half back while Ann Dalton impressed around the middle. Dublin would have been in a worse position but for replacement goalkeeper Joeleeen Hoary.
Galway accounted for Limerick in Athenry, 1-16 to 0-8. Brenda Hanney netted their goal while Aislinn Connolly and Jessica Gill claimed 11 of their points. Niamh Mulcahy got all Limerick’s scores.
In the other group, Wexford, the Division One league champions, overcame Clare (2-15 to 0-3) to finish behind Galway.
