Curtin call brings Tribe joy

VERONICA CURTIN was sprung from the bench to inspire Galway to a 2-14 to 0-9 victory over their bogey side, Wexford, in the first round of the All-Ireland senior camogie championship in Enniscorthy on Saturday.

Curtin scored two injury-time goals to enable Galway take a five-point interval lead against a Wexford outfit that denied them league and All-Ireland titles in the last year.

Susan Earner made a couple of stunning saves to deny the hosts as well, while the experienced Therese Maher shone at centre-back, with Ann Marie Hayes also instrumental in holding the Model County girls at bay.

Ursula Jacob had all seven of Wexford’s points from frees as they seemed set for a one-point lead at the break, despite having played into a strong wind, but by this stage, Curtin, Galway’s only survivor from the county’s only All-Ireland success in 1995 was on the pitch.

Curtin showed her alertness when touching to the net from close range in the second minute of injury time and there was still time for her dangerous delivery to be deflected for another goal off a Wexford stick.

Kate Kelly scored Wexford’s only point from play early in the second half but it was Galway who had the bit between their teeth, notching seven successive points including a pair each from Curtin and Aislinn Connolly (who finished with 0-7) to seal victory.

Kilkenny were made to work extremely hard by the 2010 intermediate champions Offaly before winning 4-17 to 2-11. The final scoreline didn’t do justice to the Faithful women’s efforts as they recovered from an early six-point deficit to draw level and were still just 2-9 to 1-7 in arrears at the interval.

The crucial score of the game came just after the interval when Michelle Quilty, who finished with 2-7, goaled to ease Kilkenny nerves. With Anne Dalton bringing her tally to five points from play and Aoife Neary also amongst the goals, Ann Downey’s charges were able to pull clear.

Cork were comfortable 3-16 to 0-10 winners over Clare but given that the margin between the sides had been 27 points in the Munster final last month, this performance will come as a massive boost to the Banner girls.

Cork’s Síle Burns scored 3-4 from play and with Gemma O’Connor a powerful presence at centre-back and Orla Cotter showing she has returned to her best at midfield after suffering an horrific broken jaw earlier in the year, not even the best efforts of Claire McMahon, Deirdre Murphy and the Lafferty sisters Siobhán and Fiona could deny the Leesiders.

Tipperary also had to dig deep before coming out on top against Dublin, 3-12 to 0-12, with Sarah Fryday scoring two goals and Noreen Flanagan another in injury time.