Cork and Galway are back in the last four after decisive final-round wins secured their direct passage to the All-Ireland senior camogie semi-finals. In breaking news ireland from the championship, both counties underlined why they were last year’s finalists, while Tipperary and Waterford must now take the quarter-final route.
Sunday’s results confirmed the Group 1 picture, with Cork beating Waterford 1-13 to 0-10 and Galway overcoming Tipperary 3-17 to 0-15. The outcomes mean the two group winners advance straight to the semi-finals in four weeks, while the runners-up await the quarter-final draw.
Cork edge clear after Amy Lee goal and strong second half
At Páirc Uí Rinn, the key score arrived early and in unusual fashion. Cork goalkeeper Amy Lee launched a huge delivery downfield in the sixth minute, and it travelled all the way to the net. That remarkable strike gave Cork a platform they never surrendered and proved crucial in a game where Waterford stayed competitive for long spells.
Cork led 1-5 to 0-5 at the break, with former Down attacker Sorcha McCartan making a notable contribution by landing three points in the opening 20 minutes. Annie Fitzgerald kept Waterford in touch with two scores before the interval.
The home side tightened their grip after half-time. Orlaith Cahalane opened the second-half scoring, and Amy O’Connor added three frees as Cork moved into a 1-9 to 0-6 lead by the 40th minute. Waterford responded well and trimmed the margin to four entering stoppage time, helped by points from Niamh Rockett and Beth Carton.
There was late drama when Rockett was shown a straight red card after an incident involving Laura Hayes, a dismissal that could have major implications for Waterford’s quarter-final hopes. Cork still had the final word, though, as Ashling Thompson marked her return with a powerful point from midfield that drew one of the loudest cheers of the day.
- Cork scorers included Amy O’Connor (0-6 frees), Amy Lee (1-0) and Sorcha McCartan (0-3)
- Waterford were led by Beth Carton (0-4) and Annie Fitzgerald (0-2)
- Cork now move directly into the semi-finals after topping the group battle on the day
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Galway overpower Tipperary with early goals in Athenry
Galway were even more clinical in Athenry, where a blistering start set them on course for a 3-17 to 0-15 victory over Tipperary. Teenager Caoimhe Kelly made an instant impact, scoring a goal and a point inside the opening three minutes to lift the home crowd and put Galway firmly on the front foot.
Kelly’s sharp display continued throughout the first half, and Niamh McPeake added another major in the 23rd minute as Galway built a 2-7 to 0-8 lead by the interval. Tipperary stayed within reach thanks largely to Eimear McGrath, who was outstanding from placed balls and accounted for five first-half points.
Any hopes of a Tipp comeback faded soon after the restart. Carrie Dolan added four points, while McPeake struck for her second goal in the 36th minute, stretching Galway’s advantage to 12 points within the first 10 minutes of the second half.
McGrath kept battling and finished with an impressive 10 points, but Galway’s scoring spread and attacking pace were too much. Kelly’s final tally of 1-4 will strengthen her case for another start when the semi-finals arrive on July 25.
Key performers from Galway v Tipperary
- Caoimhe Kelly: 1-4 in a breakout attacking display
- Niamh McPeake: 2-0, including a decisive second-half goal
- Carrie Dolan: 0-7, with accuracy from frees and open play
- Eimear McGrath: 0-10 in a tireless effort for Tipperary
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What happens next in the championship?
The immediate focus now turns to the quarter-final draw, where Tipperary and Waterford will learn their next opponents. While neither side managed to secure automatic qualification, both showed enough quality to suggest they can still influence the championship.
For Cork and Galway, the reward is valuable preparation time before the semi-finals. Both counties looked composed under pressure, and both had standout individual performers at exactly the right moment of the campaign.
In the latest breaking news ireland from the camogie championship, the familiar heavyweights are still standing. Cork and Galway have taken the direct route to the All-Ireland semi-finals, and the chase for the title now looks set for another compelling chapter.
Article/Image Courtesy: The Irish News
