Kilkenny grab valuable camogie win

Kilkenny repeated their National League final victory over Galway by scoring a 1-13 to 1-9 victory against the Tribeswomen in the Gala All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship today.

The Cats overturned a 1-5 to 0-6 half-time deficit to outscore the visitors to Tom Ryall Park in Kilmanagh by 1-7 to 0-4 in the second half.

A gripping finish to the group stages of this year’s Gala championship now lies in store as Kilkenny and reigning All-Ireland champions Wexford are locked together on four points, two behind Tipperary and Galway with Cork already qualified for the semi-finals on eight points.

Kilkenny will have home advantage against Cork in next weekend’s crucial round of fixtures with Wexford due to face Tipperary at Semple Stadium.

The experienced Sinéad Millea scored six points for Kilkenny as they upped the ante after half-time to see off Galway, who lost the influential Veronica Curtin to an early injury.

A tit-for-tat first half swung Galway’s way two minutes before half-time when 1-5 heroine Jessica Gill scored her goal.

Kilkenny fought their way back after the break and Marie Dargan’s goal 10 minutes into the second half proved the game’s decisive score.

The Noresiders led 1-8 to 0-7 at that point and followed up with three unanswered points to open up a matchwinning lead.

Meanwhile, Wexford ran out comfortable 3-8 to 0-7 winners against Dublin at Buffer’s Alley.

Una Leacy scored 2-2 for the Slaneysiders as the in-form Katrina Parrock sent the champions on their way with a seventh-minute goal.

Leacy struck her first goal of the game after 28 minutes and that strike helped to open up a 2-5 to 0-1 interval lead for the Model County.

Leacy struck again midway through the second half for her second goal while Dublin’s sole scorer of the afternoon was Louise O’Hara, who contributed three frees, three 45s and a point from play.

On Saturday, last year’s beaten finalists Cork qualified for the semi-finals with a facile 2-21 to 1-5 victory against outclassed Limerick.

The Rebelettes were far too good for a spirited Limerick in Ballinlough and booked their place in the last four with their fourth victory from five outings in this year’s competition.

Powered by the attacking brilliance of Rachel Moloney, Gemma O’Connor, Síle Burns, Una O’Donoghue and Amanda O’Regan, Cork ran out comprehensive 19-point winners.

Eileen O’Brien scored a 25th minute goal for Wexford but Amanda O’Regan struck back just before half-time to open up a 1-15 to 1-2 interval advantage for the Munster outfit.

Two minutes after the break, O’Regan turned provider for Elaine O’Riordan, who found the back of the Limerick net.

From that moment until the finish, it was exhibition stuff from Cork, who welcomed back former captain and All-Ireland medallist Vivienne Harris to the fold.