Cork destroy Limerick with speed and accuracy
CORK strolled to a facile triumph against Limerick in their Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 1 Group 2 game, starting explosively before it finished 5-17 to 0-6 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Ashling Thompson exerted her influence from the outset as Cork hit a blitz of goals and points in the fiorst half, going in at the break leading by 5-10 to 0-3 at half-time
Cork boss Matthew Twomey introduced Chloe Sigerson during the break and the Killeagh star weighed in with three lovely scores as the Rebels sauntered over the line.
Kilkenny needed a point right at the death from Kellyann Doyle to snatch a 1-8 to 0-10 victory over Clare at Cusack Park.
With both sides swapping scores for muchb of the first half, a goal from Kilkenny’s Miriam Walsh in the 27th minute was to prove the critical score, ensuring the Cats never fell behind again. It was nip and tuck for much of the second half, and with a minute of normal time remaining, Lorna McMahon equalised for Clare from a free but the mentality of champions meant there was still time for Kellyann Doyle to bag the winner, meaning Kilkenny will play Cork on March 12 for a place in the final as group winners.
In Group 1, All-Ireland champions Galway were put to the pin of their collar for a long while by Down before opening up in the second half to record a 4-17 to 0-8. The Mourne side went in at the change of ends trailing by just 1-5 to 0-5.
The Maroons opened up after the resumption, a return of 2-5 in the final few minutes giving the final score harsh look from the Down perspective. The result means that Galway will do battle with Tipperary in a fortnight to determine the group winner and Division 1 finalist.
Dublin outgunned a young Offaly team by 112 to 0-2. The Dubs’ Aisling Maher shot five points in the first half, which allied with a goal and a point from Aisling O’Neill established a 1-6 to 0-1 interval lead over Offaly, whose one score was provided by Sarah Harding.
When Maher went off at the interval, O’Neill inherited freetaking duties and split the posts twice. The Castleknock sharpshooter slotted a couple more from play to bring her tally to 1-5 as the Blues inexorably pulled clear.
Offaly’s efforts were rewarded with the final say, as Harding converted another free before the final whistle.