What a day!
Galway managed to just edge victory on Saturday afternoon in an epic Liberty Insurance senior camogie championship clash with Offaly.
The League champions, who had come into the game on the back of a win over reigning All-Ireland winners Cork, were given the shock of their lives when they went head-to-head with Offaly in a gripping encounter in Birr.
Galway celebrating their win over Cork.
It was Galway’s Niamh McGrath who came off the bench to edge her side ahead as Offaly threw everything they had at them in the hopes of bagging a quarter-final spot.
Galway managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, coming out on top by 1-11 to 1-8, but it certainly wasn’t a walk in St. Brendan’s Park for them.
An on-form Siobhan Flannery was Offaly’s key scorer on the day, notching six frees in style.
Tina Hannon has been solid for Offaly for many years.
Galway went into a 1-5 to 0-4 lead thanks to a Mollie Dunne goal, but the game was up for grabs shortly after when a goal from Tina Hannon, followed by points from Flannery saw the sides all square on 1-7 apiece midway through the second half.
Three points from super-sub McGrath saved the day for Galway, and Offaly were unfortunate not to finish it on a draw as Flannery saw her last-gasp attempt from a free saved after a nail-biting encounter.
Wexford and Limerick went head-to-head.
Elsewhere, Wexford bagged a 3-9 to 0-11 win over Limerick at home, with a hugely impressive display from Kate Kelly who hit 2-6 in style to deny Limerick.
It was a game of two halves, with Limerick leading at the break 0-5 to 0-4, but Kelly struck the net to send her side to glory.
Meanwhile, Tipperary just about held off a rampaging Dublin to secure their second win of the championship, winning 1-13 to 2-9 thanks to nine first-half points from Cait Devane.
It’s all to play for in this year’s championship.
Devane’s contribution put her side into a seemingly commanding 0-11 to 0-4 lead at the break, but Dublin came flying out of the traps after the break to put the game back in the melting pot.
Tipperary kept their cool though and hung on to drive to victory.
Kilkenny gave a masterclass in shooting in their tie against Derry, running out 8-22 to 2-10 winners.
Kilkenny were on form today.
A goal from Denise Gaule in the 14th minute kicked off a purple patch that did not end, with Katie Power and Gaule adding more goals in two minutes, while Michelle Quilty, Edel Maher and Miriam Walsh all found the Derry net before the interval to leave it 6-11 to 0-5 at the break.
Katie Power hit the net for the Cats.
Goals from Walsh and Power sealed the win for the Cats, while Derry fought back with two fantastic goals from Mary Kelly and Karen Kielt – who hit an impressive 1-8 overall.
Images via INPHO/updates via Camogie Association.
