KILKENNY WILL PLAY in the Liberty Insurance senior camogie semi-final on August 17 after recording a stunning 2-15 to 2-9 victory over Wexford in their final Group 1 game at Nowlan Park.
Niall Williams’ team had to do it the hard way as they conceded a goal to Fiona Kavanagh and went four points down after four minutes.
They responded well though and despite squandering a plethora of chances, were in front at half time by 0-7 to 1-3. Aoife Neary provided four of those points.
Kilkenny continued where they left off in and Shelley Farrell gathered possession from Claire Phelan’s lengthy clearance before rifling a shot to the bottom corner of the Wexford net after 38 minutes to put six between the sides. When either Farrell or Neary got the last touch after a goalmouth scramble for the Cats’ second major, the margin was eight and Wexford couldn’t peg them back.
Wexford must now face Clare in a do-or-die battle for a place in the quarter-finals next week, after Galway defeated the Bannerwomen by 3-12 to 1-12 at Cusack Park.
Brenda Hanney gave the westerners the lead with a goal mid-way through the opening half but four points from Claire McMahon and another from Máire McGrath gave the home side the advantage at the change of ends, 0-8 to 1-3.
Hanney pounced for her second goal straight after the restart but Clare’s riposte was immediate, as Vera Loughnane claimed her first ever senior championship major.
The sides exchanged points until Molly Dunne claimed the critical goal in the 51st minute for goal. Emer Haverty pointed immediately afterwards and Galway had sufficient breathing space to assure themselves of a quarter-final spot.
