Controversy as Cats edge it

KILKENNY reversed the result of last year’s All-Ireland final with a thrilling 0-13 to 2-6 victory over Cork in the second round of Gala All-Ireland senior camogie championship.

The tie ended controversially however, as Gemma O’Connor’s long-range free from midfield in the fifth minute of injury time was signalled as a point by one umpire who waved the white flag.

The other umpire waved the shot wide however and after consulting with his two officials, referee Alan Lagrue decided that the shot had drifted outside the post, much to the anger of Cork’s players and management.

Kilkenny were the better team in the first half and deservedly led at the break by 0-7 to 0-3, but two early goals from Síle Burns helped Cork go three points clear.

Ann Downey’s crew hit back though in the final 10 minutes and injury time points from Anna Dalton and substitute Kelly Hamilton edged them in front before the dramatic conclusion.

Elsewhere, Tipperary scored two late goals from Claire Grogan and Aoife McLoughney but that only served to put a better gloss on the scoreline for Eoin Brislane’s team as Galway cruised to a 1-19 to 2-7 success.

The westerners imposed themselves midway through the first half and a brilliant goal from Aislinn Connolly after 18 minutes helped them establish a 1-9 to 0-6 lead at half time – the captain executing a delightful overhead flick from Therese Maher’s long delivery.

Connolly hit 1-9 as the westerners pulled away after the restart before Tipp put a measure of respectability on the scoreboard with those two consolation goals.

Meanwhile, in the evening game, Wexford skipper Una Leacy hit a hat-trick of goals as the league champions romped to a 7-25 to 0-3 win over Dublin at Wexford Park.

Leacy bagged two of her goals, either side of an Ursula Jacob major.