Camogie wins for Offaly and Wexford

Offaly booked their place in a third successive All-Ireland with a hard-fought victory over Derry in the Gala All-Ireland intermediate camogie semi-final at Clones. They will play Wexford in three weeks, who just edged past Limerick in Ardfinnan.

Last year’s junior champions were in fine fettle in the first half and Siobhan Flannery’s goal gave them a 1-6 to 0-3 lead at the change of ends.

Joachim Kelly’s side managed to maintain that advantage for most of the second half, despite the efforts of Karen Kielt – sister of Derry senior footballer James – who slotted 0-4 from frees.

Katie McCauley halved the deficit with a goal at the three-quarter mark but Elaine Dermody responded in kind and also had a penalty saved.

Derry kept plugging away, with young half-back Meabh McGoldrick hitting a brace of points. With the margin down to two, Katie McCauley got on the end of a long delivery late on but her shot was saved by Audrey Kennedy and Offaly held on to win 2-12 to 1-13.

Meanwhile a goal in the very first minute by the outstanding Ciara O’Connor proved the difference as Wexford kept their double dreams alive to beat Limerick by 1-9 to 0-10. Limerick hit back well with four unanswered points but Wexford did exactly the same to lead by 1-4 to 0-4 at half time.

With Eileen O’Brien Costello adding three points to her first half tally of three, the Shannonsiders were level as they game went into injury time but a free from O’Connor – bringing her personal tally to 1-5 – and a wonderful point on the run from half-way by centre back Louise Codd snatched the honours for Wexford.