Hurling & Camogie

Galway take top spot in group as play-off pairings become clear in Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Championship

Siobhan McGrath of Galway holds on to the sliotar under pressure from Kilkenny players during the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Group Two match at Kenny Park, Athenry on Saturday									Picture: Ashley Cahill/Inpho
Siobhan McGrath of Galway holds on to the sliotar under pressure from Kilkenny players during the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Group Two match at Kenny Park, Athenry on Saturday Picture: Ashley Cahill/Inpho Siobhan McGrath of Galway holds on to the sliotar under pressure from Kilkenny players during the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Group Two match at Kenny Park, Athenry on Saturday Picture: Ashley Cahill/Inpho

Glen Dimplex Senior Championship

GALWAY and Cork will play in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-finals at Croke Park in three weeks, where they will await the winners of the quarter-finals in a fortnight’s time.

Kilkenny will play Dublin and Waterford will take on Limerick, winners over Antrim in Corrigan, in those quarter-finals at Semple Stadium on July 16. Three of those teams had to work hard to get there.

Galway and Kilkenny were already qualified for the knock-out stages from Group Two before they met in Kenny Park, Athenry and played out a 1-17 to 2-14 draw. Galway still took top spot but they have the 2020 champions breathing down their necks.

Kilkenny trailed by four points at half-time but Miriam Walsh’s second goal and a point moved them ahead late in the tie, only for Catherine Finnerty’s equaliser to snatch the semi-final position at the death.

Three early points from Denise Gaule and Walsh’s first major gave Kilkenny an ideal start but a Sabina Rabbitte goal prompted a period of Galway dominance. Carrie Dolan, Niamh Kilkenny and Dervla Higgins, with a monstrous score, pulled them clear before the Cats came on strongly late on.

In Group One, Cork were guaranteed top spot. Tipperary needed to beat them in Páirc Uí Rinn and hope that results went their way elsewhere.

Cáit Devane got them off to a perfect start with a goal after 16 seconds. Cork though were level before the minute was out with a fortunate goal from Laura Hayes.

Points from Eimear McGrath, Grace O’Brien, Devane and Ereena Fryday put Tipp in the lead and it was extended to five points as the second half wore on. However Cork hit five points in a row including scores from Chloe Sigerson and Ashling Thompson to bring them level.

Devane came up with a late winner, but it all came to nothing as Tipperary were edged out of the knock-out stages on score-difference by Dublin who scored four goals in the second half to stun Wexford in Bellefield.

The hosts had begun with a Jackie Quigley goal after 33 seconds. Joanne Dillon then added a second Wexford goal before a long free from Aisling Maher went all the way to their net early in the second half.

That score lifted the Dubs and Emma Flanagan followed up with a second goal and Izzy Davis struck twice in a 4-14 to 2-11 win that saw them finish, like Tipperary, on eight group points but eight points better off on score-difference.

Waterford had their fate in their hands and did enough to win by a goal in Cusack Park, Ennis. Beth Carton goaled early on from the penalty spot after Niamh Rockett was fouled, but Clare got it back to the minimum with nine minutes remaining.

Máiréad O’Brien and Orlaith Duggan swapped goals to set up a grandstand finish. But it was Waterford that stayed on best to get a 2-12 to 1-12 win.

That defeat for Clare now means that the Banner are in a relegation play-off with Offaly on July 16th.

RESULTS

Glen Dimplex Senior Championship

Group One

Cork 1-16 Tipperary 1-17

Clare 1-12 Waterford 2-12

Wexford 2-11 Dublin 4-14

Group Two

Antrim 1-11 Limerick 1-14

Down 1-11 Offaly 0-13

Galway 1-17 Kilkenny 2-14