Cork launch league campaign with demolition of Kilkenny

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.

Brendan Williams is returning to the Kilkenny job after Ann Downey stood down last year and with 23 players unavailable, handed debuts to six players.

Cork led by 2-9 to 0-4 at the break, both goals coming from the deadly O’Leary, who finished with 2-4 to her credit. Substitute Finola Neville marked her introduction with a second-half goal, while Katrina Mackey finished with three points.

Wexford were without their Oulart-the-Ballagh contingent but still steamrollered Offaly 5-17 to 1-9 to launch their Division 1 title defence.

JJ Doyle’s side ran riot after the restart, with goals from Brid Gordon, Evelyn Quigley and Lenny Holohan adding to first-half efforts by Fiona Kavanagh and Josie Dwyer.

Meanwhile, Dublin recorded a shock win over Tipperary in a thriller, 2-13 to 1-15 at Parnell Park.

The home side laid the foundation for this success with two goals in a minute at the beginning of the second quarter from Áine Fanning and eye-catching 17-year-old Ali Twomey. That gave them a four-point interval advantage and though Tipperary poured on the pressure, some last-ditch defending secured the verdict.