ALL-IRELAND CAMOGIE champions Wexford will play history-makers Offaly, and league title-holders Cork will take on Galway in this year’s semi-finals. Nowlan Park will play host to this mouth-watering double-header on Saturday, August 18.
Elaine Dermody was in typically high-scoring form as Offaly continued their amazing rise through the ranks to reach the last four for the first time.
John Troy’s charges were still plying their trade at junior level three years ago but under Joachim Kelly’s stewardship, they won the championship that season and followed up with intermediate honours the following season.
After a year of consolidation at senior level, they have flourished through the knockout stages and showed great courage to edge out a valiant Dublin in a terrific match played in front of a good crowd at Parnell Park.
They looked in trouble approaching half time, trailing the hosts by seven points at 1-8 to 0-4. Mairi Moynihan’s sixth minute goal was the perfect start for the Dubs but Offaly struck for seven successive scores, with Dermody’s 38th minute penalty goal putting them in front for the first time.
The Coolderry sharpshooter finished with 1-7, and with Michaela Morkan (0-3) and Siobhán Flannery (0-2) providing ample support, Offaly had built up a vital four-point cushion when Moynihan struck for her second goal deep in injury time to leave it 1-13 to 2-9.
Cork and Clare have been involved in some titanic tussles this year and Páirc Uí Chaoimh hosted another, with the home team prevailing 1-10 to 0-10.
There was never very much between the teams as Chloe Morey tagged on six points for Clare, with Fiona Lafferty and Claire McMahon also getting on the mark.
The key score though was Katrina Mackey’s goal early in the second half and she added two points in a consummate display. Jenny O’Leary notched up four points as Cork kept their noses in front all the way to the finish, despite the gallant attempts of their opponents in the final quarter.
Meanwhile, the strongest field yet might have been assembled for the Poc Fada at Annaverna, Co Louth but it made no difference to Trish Jackman.
The 21-year-old Waterford and Gaultier ace made light of the testing conditions to retain the title and annex an historic fourth in succession. She completed the course in 29 pucks.
