Wexford catch out Cork early on

Camogie: Wexford look like they’re a team on a mission this year and they hit Cork with a sensational first-half blitz to inch closer to a place in the semi-final of the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland senior camogie championship semi-final-

Helena Jacob’s side beat champions Galway in their opening tie and proved their mettle once more at Wexford Park although they had to withstand a strong second half fightback.

The hosts came flying out of the traps and were leading by two points when Siona Nolan picked out Katrina Parrock with a superb long ball and she goaled from close range.

Kate Kelly and Parrock combined in the 20th minute to set up another goal for Brid Gordon and Wexford were leading by 2-10 to 0-4 at half time.

Cork were a completely different outfit after the resumption and a string of points from Ashling Thompson, Orla Cotter (two) and Joanne Casey, plus a Katrina Mackey goal reduced the margin to five.

Wexford were able to steady the ship though and with Ursula Jacob bringing her tally to 10 points, they won by 2-14 to 1-11.

Offaly got their first win of the campaign, edging out Derry in a humdinger by 1-17 to 2-11.

Playing against the wind in the first half, the hosts were quickly out of the blocks and built a 1-9 to 0-3 lead by the 25th minute. Tina Hannon was in terrific form scoring five points in the opening period – seven in total — while also setting up the goal for Arlene Watkins.

There was little between the sides in the second half with Grainne McGoldrick, who scored nine points, keeping Derry in touch.

Entering the last ten minutes, Offaly made the decisive break with points from Elaine Dermody, Watkins and Hannon.

Kilkenny beat Tipperary 2-21 to 0-7. Denise Gaule, Katie Power and Aisling Dunphy were amongst the scorers as they led by 0-12 to 0-5 at half time, with Cáit Devane and Alice Fogarty on the mark for Tipp.

It was one-way traffic in the second half though as Michelle Quilty and Shelly Farrell hit goals and Gaule brought her own tally to seven points, while Tipperary only managed a paltry two points in that period.

Champions Galway got their campaign back on track with a comfortable win over Dublin by 3-21 to 1-5.