It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Leesiders, who have been UL’s victims on each occasion.

CAITRIONA COLLINS scored a goal and six points while Minor star Saoirse McCarthy added four from play as Cork put the agony of two consecutive defeats at the last hurdle behind them to become Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie champions.

Cork were singing in the rain at the Coralstown Kinnegad grounds, producing a power-packed second-half performance to win the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie Leagues Division 2 title for a fifth time.

The Cork intermediate side have travelled a longer road than most to reach Croke Park this September.

Cork camogie players affected by the regrading controversy will have their applications to line out at intermediate level reconsidered by the Camogie Association after a dramatic u-turn by top-brass on Thursday night.

Wexford’s chances of landing an incredible four All-Ireland titles in a row remain on track after they came through a winner-takes-all-game against Clare in the Liberty Insurance Senior Camogie Championship Group 2.

Cork 0-12 Wexford 1-7

Derry showed that they are getting to grips with life in the top tier of the National Camogie League with a 4-13 to 2-10 victory over Tipperary at Hawkfield.

Wexford and Galway took the field in their opening Division 1 Camogie League tie without many of the regulars that have graced both sides over the years.

Cork got their National Camogie League Division 1 campaign off to a successful start when making light work of understrength Kilkenny in Killeagh, 3-14 to 0-6.

Wexford may have been without their Oulart-The-Ballagh contingent as they got the defence of their Irish Daily Star National Camogie League Division 1 title under way in Enniscorthy today, but it made no difference, as they steamrollered Offaly 5-17 to 1-9.