Waterford progress to junior camogie final

Last year’s beaten finalists Waterford will have the chance to go one better after seeing off a gritty Meath outfit in the Gala All-Ireland premier junior championship semi-final at Dr Cullen Park.

Meath dictated the opening quarter against the Déise but a 20th minute goal from Trish Jackman helped the Munster girls settle and though Elizabeth Lynch responded five minutes later, it was Waterford leading at half time by four points, 1-7 to 1-3.

The Royals remained in contention until Karen Kelly goaled in the 46th minute. With the dead-eye shooting of Áine Lyng also yielding nine points, it was Waterford who prevailed 2-14 to 1-9, despite Jane Dalton’s personal tally of five points for Meath.

Antrim emerged with a point to spare from their cracking tie with Down. Goals from Fionnuala Carr and Niamh Mallon gave the Mourne women a deserved 2-5 to 0-7 lead at the break but that advantage no longer existed by the 10th minute of the second half when Jane Adams had bagged two goals.

She soon had a third and finished with a personal tally of 3-5.

Down kept plugging away with Paul Gribben grabbing a goal but they could not find one last point that would keep their hopes alive.

Meanwhile, the All-Ireland minor A final finished in a draw, with Clare’s 0-11 being matched by Galway’s 1-8.

A dour enough first half ended with the Connacht side leading by 0-4 to 0-3.

The second half was much more of a spectacle. A brace of Rebecca Hanley points helped Galway establish a three-point advantage but with senior star Chloe Morey in fine free-taking form, Clare hit the front.

Hanley goaled seven minutes from time to restore Galway’s advantage but again, Clare fought back and when Morey converted a free on the hour, it looked like the Banner would win their first title at this level.

It wasn’t to be though as Hanley levelled in extra time and the teams will reconvene for battle in a fortnight.