All eyes were on Tullamore on Saturday afternoon as arch rivals Galway and Cork kicked off this year’s senior camogie championship with a bang.
League champions Galway were the big winners on the day, with a repeat of their victory over All-Ireland champions Cork last month.
Cork’s Corla Cotter and Ailish O’Reilly of Galway.
The talented side secured the win with a last gasp burst, hitting four points as the clock ticked down to bag a 1-11 to 0-12 win over the women in red.
In what was a competitive affair, it was the defensive lines that really shone throughout the 60 minutes.
Galway’s Aoife Donohue and Ashling Thompson of Cork.
Cork were put on to the back foot early on courtesy of a ninth minute goal from Molly Dunne, who flicked to the net in style.
Cork responded well with points raining in, and as the tension mounted, they went in at the break all level 1-5 to 0-8.
Into the second half, Cork could have easily gone ahead but for some fantastic saves between the posts by Susan Earner and indeed, looked to have the upper hand as O’Connor, Cotter, Cronin and Thompson edged them in front.
Galway’s Jessica Gill and Briege Corkery of Cork.
It was the last quarter when Galway began to stamp their mark on the game and with Cork not scoring for the last 13 minutes, two frees from Niamh McGrath and a superb point from Niamh Kilkenny brought the teams level.
Galway kept their cool and pushed on to victory in the dying stages.
Galway’s Shauna Healy attempts to hook the shot of Orla Cronin of Cork
Elsewhere, Limerick returned to the senior championship with aplomb, thanks to a 1-12 to 1-8 win over Offaly while Kilkenny got their Group 2 campaign off to a good start with a 3-13 to 1-10 win over Dublin at Parnell Park.
It looks like it’s going to be another exciting year of camogie action!
Pictures via INPHO.
