Compiled by Daragh Ó Conchúir
Down will play Cork in the decider of the Liberty Ireland All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship, while Kerry will do battle with Dublin in the Premier Junior Final, both to be played alongside the Senior Final between Cork and Kilkenny at Croke Park on September 9th.
A 58th minute goal by Sara Louise Carr snatched a 1-13 to 2-8 victory for the Mournewomen over Tipperary, after they had trailed for the majority of proceedings at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh.
They shored up the defence with the redeployment of Fionnuala Carr from full-forward to her more customary position at centre-back and the switching of Nicole Kelly onto the dangerous Nicola Treacy. These moves helped them turn around a 1-7 to 0-4 interval deficit.
Niamh Mallon led the scoring for Martina Rooney’s side with seven points, five of which came from frees, while the experienced Portaferry markswoman was at the hub of most that was positive about the red and black attacking threat in the second half with her ball-winning and astute diagonal deliveries.
Sara Louise Carr added two points to her goal, but it was the major that moved Down ahead and Paula O’Hagan added her second point in injury time to cement the comeback.
It had all looked so good for Tipp as they finished the first half strongly with three points from Jenny Grace and a Mary Bourke goal to establish that six-point half-time advantage. And even as Down fought back, Bill Mullaney’s charges kept their noses in front by virtue of Treacy’s 45th minute goal, after good work from Grace.
But the Ulster girls were not to be denied and they booked a place in the Intermediate Final for the first time since 1998.
In Coralstown/Kinnegad, the introduction of Minor star Cliona Healy midway through the second half propelled Cork to a 0-14 to 0-9 win over Galway.
Galway played with the wind in the first half but after both sides missed opportunities, it was Cork that established the early advantage with a point from Maeve McCarthy and two from Caitriona Collins.
Rachel Monaghan got Galway off the mark with a 13th minute free but it was indicative of the westerners' difficulties that Monaghan was to be responsible for all nine of their points, all of which would arrive courtesy of placed balls.
Defences certainly held the upper hand and Galway led a low-scoring affair by 0-4 to 0-3 at half time.
A little more space began to open up in the second half and Monaghan's accuracy edged Noel Finn's crew 0-7 to 0-5 ahead.
Saoirse McCarthy and Finola Neville restored parity before Paudie Murray's selectors – the manager having left matters in their hands after decamping at half time to Semple Stadium for the Seniors' Semi-Final with Tipperary – made the game's most significant switch when bringing on Healy.
The Aghabullogue attacker made an immediate impact, slotting three points in as many minutes, and she was to finish with four as Cork pulled away, with Katelyn Hickey, Caroline Sugrue and the impressive Neville also on target.
Galway did get a late penalty but Monaghan's shot was saved and with that went the Maroons' fading hopes.
Dublin gave themselves the opportunity to go one step further than last year as they made it back to the Premier Junior Final thanks to a 3-12 to 1-3 win over Offaly at Coralstown/Kinnegad.
Offaly actually registered the first score in the opening minute, a point from an Aoife Walsh free but points from Aoibhe Dillon (five), Caragh Dawson and Aoife Bugler (two) made it 0-8 to 0-2 at the change of ends.
Shane Plowman’s side had spurned a couple of good goal-scoring chances in the first half but got the radar in working order after the resumption.
The magnificent Dillion grabbed the first one and though Mary Teehan responded in kind for Offaly, hopes of a fightback were extinguished with the sending off of Brooke Whelehan for a second yellow card.
Bugler and Laoise Quinn struck goals in the closing five minutes to give the scoreline a flattering look, though there was no questioning the merit of the Dubs’ victory.
While Dublin will be looking to secure a sixth title in nine Final appearances, Kerry will be appearing in the Premier Junior decider, and as a consequence, at Headquarters, for the first time.
Patrice Diggin hit 10 points as the Kingdom’s finest repeated their Division 3 League Final defeat of Roscommon, advancing on a 1-15 to 1-5 scoreline at MacDonagh Park. Depite Diggin’s heroics however, the verdict was in doubt until late on.
Indeed Roscommon led at half time by 1-4 to 0-6, Shauna Fallon’s terrific 28th minute goal putting them in front. Sinéad O’Brien pointed early in the second half to put two between the sides but Roscommon would fail to score again, while Kerry moved through the gears impressively.
Diggin and Jackie Horgan raised white flags but it was only when Laura Collins goaled four minutes time, after Alannah Whelan had done the spadework, that the green and gold supporters could relax.
#GoTogether
