Cats' firepower proves too much for Premier

A FINAL quarter surge propelled Kilkenny to victory over Tipperary in this thrilling All-Ireland senior camogie championship clash at The Ragg on Saturday.

The Noresiders won 4-8 to 0-12 but were flattered by the eight-point margin after a lacklustre opening 45 minutes. Significantly though, Kilkenny upped the gears when required and three quick goals quenched the hopes of the hosts.

Most of the action occurred in the second half after Tipp led by a point at the interval.

Aoife Neary hand-passed to the net for the winners soon after the resumption but with Jill Horan — excellent at midfield alongside Mary Ryan — and Claire Grogan slotting points, the Premier were still a major threat.

Crucially though, Kilkenny plundered three quick goals from the outstanding Michelle Quilty, Áine Fahy and Shelly Farrell to seal the victory.

Buoyed by their win over Tipperary last week, Clare led 0-5 to 0-2 after 15 minutes of their tie 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 unable to turn the tie.

Deirdre Murphy and Claire McMahon landed points then 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 a flying start at Pearse Park against Offaly when Martina Conroy goaled from a sixth minute free. Elaine Dermody hit the net for Offaly but the Faithfuls trailed 1-15 to 1-2 at half-time.

Marian Crean got a second goal for Offaly but Niamh Kilkenny and Anne Marie Starr were 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, Galway eased to a 1-25 to 2-4 win.