Cork survive stern test from Banner

Champions Cork survived a stern test from Clare before emerging victorious 0-14 to 0-11 after extra-time, in yesterday’s thrilling National Camogie League Division 1 semi-final in Kilmallock.

Four consecutive points from Eimear O’Sullivan, Briege Corkery, Orla Cotter and Síle Burns propelled Cork to a 0-8 to 0-4 half-time lead.

Cotter stretched the margin to five but Clare dominated the remainder of the second-half as the dead ball accuracy of Claire McMahon reduced the gap to two points with six minutes remaining.

Deirdre Murphy was a constant menace in the Banner attack and she scored a magnificent point from to leave one between them before slotting the equaliser on the hour mark and forcing extra-time.

The sides shared four points in the opening period but in the second-half, Cotter’s sixth point and scores by Fiona Neville and Katrina Mackey sealed their place in the decider.

They will face Wexford, who chiselled out a victory over Kilkenny, with Ursula Jacob in tremendous form in their 1-10 to 1-5 win.

Jacob, who goaled after 90 seconds, hit 1-7 over the hour and had 1-4 on the board as Wexford led 1-5 to 0-0 after 20 minutes.

Ann Dalton provided Kilkenny with their first score from a 45 in the 26th minute. Aoife Neary beat Wexford keeper Mags D’Arcy just before the short whistle though as her side trailed 1-6 to 1-1 at the break.

Dalton converted a couple of frees in the second-half, but with Karen Atkinson and Mary Leacy in commanding form in the Wexford defence, they never looked like conceding another goal.

Meanwhile, Limerick will play Kildare in the Division 2 final, after victories over Kilkenny (4-12 to 0-12) and Waterford (0-12 to 0-8).

Kilkenny and Cork will meet in the All-Ireland minor A final. Kilkenny continued the impression that they are moving in the right direction at all levels with a narrow 1-13 to 1-12 defeat of Galway in Nenagh.

A third-quarter purple patch was the key for the winners and Lydia Fitzpatrick’s seven points edged her side ahead.

A gritty Cork outfit shaded a tough battle with Tipperary in Kilmallock, 1-10 to 0-10. Orla Cronin was the star of the show for the Rebels; the Enniskeane teenager scored seven points, with three of them coming from play.