Wexford kill off Rebel challenge
Wexford led by four points at the break, with Ursula Jacob, Una Leacy and Kate Kelly capitalising on the outstanding work of Catherine O’Loughlin and Mary Leacy to find the target.
Jenny O’Leary and Orla Cotter were on the mark for Cork and they were still in with a chance with ten minutes remaining. But Katrina Mackey was denied a certain goal by Wexford custodian Mags D’Arcy, and points from Una Leacy and Jacob – who finished with eight – sealed the win.
Galway had seven points to spare over Kilkenny, with two outstanding goals from Brenda Hanney central to their 2-11 to 1-7 result.
Hanney struck initially in the eighth minute, before fetching Orla Kilkenny’s long delivery for her second major midway through the second half.
Tipperary produced a shock when recording a comfortable 2-16 to 0-9 win over Clare at Semple Stadium. The Banner girls defeated Cork in the Munster final and only lost by a point last week but were always playing catch-up after Tipperary captain Joanne Ryan goaled in the opening minute.
The home team led 1-8 to 0-1 at the interval and though Claire McMahon scored four points to give the girls in saffron and blue hope, a Cáit Devane goal quickly ended their ambitions. With Nicole Walsh bringing her tally to eight points, Tipp were able to run out easy victors.
Offaly emerged successful from a cracking encounter in Crumlin against Dublin. Faithful captain Elaine Dermody was in scintillating form, scoring 3-8 (1-7 from placed balls) in a 3-14 to 3-11 victory. They led 2-5 to 1-4 at half-time, with Amy Murphy netting for the hosts but Dermody goaled immediately after the resumption as Offaly built up a 3-9 to 1-11 advantage with six minutes remaining.
Muriel O’Gorman and Murphy goaled for Dublin but with Dermody so accurate, Offaly were able to hold out for their first victory of the campaign.
