Galway and Wexford are through to the semi-finals of the All-Ireland senior camogie championship, which will take place on August 18.
It is an indication of the increasing competitiveness within the code that much is still to be decided following the final round of the group stages, with two play-off games to be scheduled for next weekend.
These will determine two of the quarter-finalists, with the losers having one last chance to make it to the last eight.
Galway laid down a marker with their best performance of their campaign to date, two goals in the opening two minutes setting them up for a 3-14 to 0-10 win over Wexford, who had already secured their place in the semi-finals.
Brenda Hanney and Martina Conroy goaled inside two minutes to give Galway a dream start and when player of the match, Conroy poached her second green flag after 20 minutes, that enabled Tony Ward’s side go in at the break leading 3-9 to 0-4.
Ursula Jacob was the sole attacking threat for a Wexford unit denied the considerable talents of Mary and Una Leacy, scoring three of those four points and finishing with seven. The game fizzled out in the second half and with little at stake, ended with an inevitable result.
It was another late, late show for Tipperary as they snatched victory in the dying moments for the second week in succession, overcoming Offaly 1-12 to 1-10 in Birr. It was a brilliant effort by the Blue and Golds, who were at a numerical disadvantage from the time Siobhán McGrath was sent off in the first half.
Underage star, Caoimhe Maher was the heroine, pouncing for a goal to decide this titanic tussle. It wasn’t the end of the drama though as Offaly were awarded an injury time penalty after Elaine Dermody was fouled.
Unfortunately for the Faithful girls, their sharpshooting full-forward was injured in the process and so Siobhán Flannery was entrusted with the duties. Her shot was saved and Tipperary will now play Cork on Saturday for a place in the quarter-finals, to be played on August 4.
The Leesiders had a comfortable 2-15 to 1-7 win over Kilkenny in Ballincollig, courtesy of goals from Katie Buckley and Linda Dorgan.
It was still all to play for at half time, with just five points between the sides, but with Katriona Mackey, Jennifer O’Leary and Anna Geary keeping the scoreboard ticking over it was an easy win in the end. Miriam Walsh shook the rigging for Kilkenny, while Michelle Quilty notched up four points.
Kilkenny now have a play-off with Offaly to decide who will make the last eight, with the losers joining Dublin, Clare and either Cork or Tipperary in the quarter-final play-offs on June 28.
Dublin and Clare drew a terrific game 1-9 to 0-12. An Aileen Murphy goal in the 42nd minute put Dublin three points clear, but a couple of scores from the excellent Claire McMahon and another from Susan Fahey brought the sides level for the seventh and final time.
Pictured above: Marie O’Brien presents Martina Conroy (Galway) with the Irish Daily Star Player of the Match award from round four of the All Ireland Camogie Championship in association with RTE Sport
