Sport

Offaly's amazing rise continues as they reach first semi

CAMOGIE ALL-IRELAND QUARTER-FINALS: OFFALY HAVE reached the All-Ireland senior semi-final stage for the first time

Mon Aug 06 2012 - 01:00

CAMOGIE ALL-IRELAND QUARTER-FINALS:OFFALY HAVE reached the All-Ireland senior semi-final stage for the first time. Elaine Dermody was in typically high-scoring form as they continued their amazing rise through the ranks at the weekend.

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 in the knockout stages and showed great courage to edge out a valiant Dublin in a terrific match 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.

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With Michaela Morkan (0-3) and Siobhán Flannery (0-2) providing ample support, Offaly had built up a 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 had another titanic tussle at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, with the home team prevailing 1-10 to 0-10.

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 attempts of their opponents in the final quarter.

Elsewhere, Dublin won the All-Ireland under-16A championship for the first time in 30 years when coming out on top after a real battle against Galway at O’Connor Park, Tullamore, yesterday, on a 4-10 to 2-8 scoreline.

Galway had been the victims in 1982 as well and the Dubs got off to a good start and Orla Beagan’s goal helped them establish a three-point interval lead, even though Tara O’Flaherty responded in kind for Galway.

Beagan grabbed her second goal early in the second half and when full forward Aisling O’Leary pounced for a brace of goals within a minute at the beginning of the final quarter, Dublin were on their way.

Galway continued to fight hard and Amy Caulfield struck for a goal but there was too much ground to make up.

Next Up . . .

The All-Ireland semi-finals will take place as a double header at Nowlan Park in Kilkenny on Saturday, August 18th. Offaly will take on reigning champions Wexford, with Cork meeting Galway.