Weekend Camogie Review

A 55th minute goal from Marie O’Connor was the decisive score in an entertaining 2-11 to 1-11 victory for Kilkenny over Wexford in Division 1 of the National Camogie League yesterday in Kilkenny.

In a game played with tremendous skill and pace, the All-Ireland champions didn’t get off to the start they wanted, and trailed by 1-5 to 0-2 after 21 minutes, with Katie Power smashing the ball to the back of the Wexford net after 19 minutes, when she coped brilliantly with a tenacious defence.

Wexford responded well thanks to good points from Kate Kelly and Una Leacy but still trailed by double scores at the interval by 1-7 to 0-5.

However they were to experience a change of fortune in the second half, holding Kilkenny to just a point in the third quarter with Katrina Parrock (2) and Kelly (3) sending over superb points leaving the score at 1-8 to 0-10 with 15 minutes remaining.

A 50th minute goal strike from Una Leacy put Wexford into a late lead, but Kilkenny remained resilient and O’Connor’s 55th minute strike put the Cats back into a lead they wouldn’t relinquish as they held out for a hard earned win.

Elsewhere in the league Wexford were comfortable 5-12 to 1-4 winners over Tipperary in Division 2. Fiona Kavanagh, Shelly Kehoe (2) and Sandy Carr were the goal scorers for the victors.

In Division 3 Laois, Offaly and Down all recorded comfortable victories while Roscommon and Meath were winners over Kildare and Carlow respectively in Division 4.

There was plenty of major action on the Colleges front on Saturday with a strong second half display ensuring St. Brigid’s Callan were crowned All-Ireland Senior A Camogie champions at Moyle Rovers following a 3-7 to 0-6 victory over kingpins St. Mary’s Charleville.

Callan captained by Leinster young player of the year Leanne Fennelly were in strong form, and held a 2-3 to 0-2 interval advantage, with goals from Anna Farrell and Denise Gaule.

Although playing against a strong wind in the second half, they continued to play well with good displays from Fennelly, Mairead Power and Shelly and Anna Farrell.

A late goal from Emma Jordan was the decisive score as Christ the King, Cork took the Senior B All-Ireland title thanks to a 2-12 to 3-6 win over St. Killian’s, New Inn at Feenagh.

Goals from Rachel Spellman and Michelle Skehill saw Killians in strong contention at half-time but with Caitriona Mackey and Aileen O’Donadan impressive, it paved the way to a Cork victory in the second half.

Despite holding a 1-5 to 0-0 interval advantage with Laura Dooley taking their first half goal, Sacred Heart Tullamore, lost out in the Colleges C decider at Drom-Inch by 3-3 to 1-7 with second half goals from Sarah Fenton, Jessica Gavin Johnson and Caitriona McGloin paving the way for a Blackwater Community School two point win.

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