Gala All Ireland senior championship round-up

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THREE weeks after being beaten by Kilkenny in their opening group game of the Gala All Ireland senior camogie championship, Tipperary showed there is plenty of fight left in the Premier County with their 2-12 to 1-10 victory over Dublin at Parnell Park on Saturday. The victory sets them up for their final group tie which will be an all-Munster affair against champions Cork at Pßirc Ui Rinn on August 1.

With the Blues entertaining Kilkenny on the same day, there are many permutations to see who will qualify for the All Ireland semi-finals, especially if the Dubs can build on Saturday’s display. At one stage the home side were behind by 12 points, but a determined fight back in the closing quarter saw them hit 1-5 to Tipperary‘s single point.

The sides were level on three occasions in a competitive opening half, but a cracking goal from Mairead Luttrell in injury time gave the visitors a distinct advantage going to the dressing room, 1-7 to 0-3. Upon the resumption, Dublin had to withstand a lot of pressure however points from Rachel Costello and Emer Lucey kept them in touch.

Tipperary struck again when Emily Hayden’s shot dipped under the crossbar to put them in a 2-11 to 0-5 lead. But Dublin, putting in one of their best performances in a while, stepped up to the challenge magnificently. A goal from Jean Murphy ignited the comeback followed by a flurry of points to leave them just five adrift, and plenty to ponder on.

Elsewhere, Clare collected their first set of point since being promoted to the senior ranks this year when they saw off Limerick by the narrowest of margins in Cusack Park, 2-8 to 1-10. This was a closely fought match, with just a point the difference as well at half time, 2-4 to 1-6.

A brace of goals from Fiona Lafferty and Claire Commane contributed to a strong first half for the Banner ladies, but Joanne Clifford ensured the Limerick girls were not too far off the mark with her green flag. It was nip and tuck for the closing 30 minutes, with the home team managing to hold out.

Clare are at home to Wexford in two weeks time and while the Slaneysiders will be favourites to go through to the penultimate stages along with Galway (who host Limerick), it will make for an interesting climax.

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