Dubs made to fight all the way to land spot in semis
DUBLIN became the first side to book their place in this year’s TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship semifinal, but only after a ferocious Group 3 battle with Waterford at Baltinglass which the champions won 0-17 to 1-10.
Captain Sinead Aherne kicked 0-6 for Mick Bohan’s side, who opened their campaign with a threepoint triumph over Donegal last weekend. Their Munster counterparts provided a stubborn resistance and when Roisin Tobin shook the net on 44 minutes, just a single point separated the teams. But Dublin showed all of their big-game experience to get themselves over the line and put both Waterford and Donegal out of the running for top position in the group.
Meanwhile, Sarah Rowe was in unstoppable form as Mayo dished out a heavy 417 to 0-4 beating to Tyrone and moved within one win of a spot in the TG4 AllIreland Senior Championship semi.
Rowe scored 2-9 in an impressive display, while Tamara O’Connor and substitute Deirdre Doherty also found the net for Peter Leahy’s dominant side.
The loss means Tyrone are out of the championship, while Mayo and Armagh will face off next Saturday, with the winners earning a spot in the last four.
Elsewhere, Saoirse Noonan’s second minute goal was crucial as Cork took charge of Group 1 of the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship with a slender 1-14 to 0-14 win over neighbours Kerry.
Victory over Cavan next Sunday will guarantee Ephie Fitzgerald’s side a spot in the last four, but they were made to fight all the way for this win, as 10 points from Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh almost carried Kerry into the knock-out stages.
They led by two points after half-time thanks to a Síofra O’Shea score, but with Doireann O’Sullivan and Ciara O’Sullivan growing into the game, Cork kicked the next six points to take charge. A couple of Finn frees, two great scores from Doireann O’Sullivan and an excellent Áine Terry O’Sullivan score meant Cork were 1-11 to 010 clear by the 48th minute.
Kerry rallied again and Ní Mhuircheartaigh landed two frees, and after Doireann O’Sullivan put three between the sides again, Hannah O’Donoghue was hauled back by Ciara O’Sullivan as she sought to get the breakaway equalising goal.
Ní Mhuircheartaigh’s free cut the gap to two with time ticking away, but there was still time for Noonan to cap a fine display with an excellent score at the death.