By Daragh Ë Conch·ir
Kilkenny’s eye for a goal turned proceedings their way against Tipperary in round 4 of the All-Ireland senior camogie championship in association with RT+ Sport.
The Noresiders were slightly flattered by the eight-point winning margin (4-8 to 0-12) as they struck for three goals in the final quarter, at a time when Tipp remained very much in contention.
All the action took place in the second half, at the end of an opening period that saw Tipp leading by a point.
Michelle Quilty goaled for the winners soon after the resumption but with Jill Horan – excellent again at midfield alongside Mary Ryan – and Clare Grogan slotting points, the Premier were still a major threat.
Crucially though, Kilkenny plundered those three quick goals from the outstanding Aoife Neary, -ine Fahy and Shelly Farrell to put the tie to bed.
Buoyed by defeating Tipperary last week, Clare led 0-5 to 0-2 after a quarter of an hour against Wexford but the champions struck for goals from Evelyn Quigley and Ursula Jacob to turn the game in their favour.
Quigley bagged her second goal two minutes after the resumption and with Katrina Parrock slotting four points in total, Clare were left with too much to do. Deirdre Murphy and Claire McMahon (who registered five points in total) did raise a number of white flags between them but it was Wexford who were victorious, 3-11 to 0-10.
It was easy for Cork against Dublin, with Joanne Casey (two), Denise Cronin and Katrina Mackey finding the net in a 4-17 to 0-4 win. Jenny O’Leary landed six points, while Eimear O’Sullivan and Gemma O’Connor shared six between them.
For Dublin, Louise O’Hara was amongst the scorers but it was a tough day at the office for the Blues.
Galway got off to a good start at Pearse Stadium against Offaly when Martina Conroy goaled from a sixth minute free. Elaine Dermody hit the net for Offaly but they still trailed by 1-15 to 1-2 at half time.
Marian Crean got a second goal for Offaly but Niamh Kilkenny and Anne Marie Starr were utterly dominant at midfield for Noel Finn’s crew. Brenda Hanney, Sandra Tannian, Noreen Coen, Aislinn Connolly and Tara Rutledge kept the scoreboard ticking over and though Offaly goalie Pamela Nugent made two excellent saves from Veronica Curtin and Connolly, there was no doubting the final result with Galway winning by 1-25 to 2-4.
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