Wexford impress in first outing

NATIONAL CAMOGIE LEAGUE ROUND-UP:WEXFORD MAY have been without their Oulart-The-Ballagh contingent as they got the defence of their National League Division One title under way in Enniscorthy yesterday, but they still steamrollered Offaly 5-17 to 1-9.

The visitors had a strong wind behind them in the first half but rarely threatened, relying largely on the free-taking of Elaine Dermody as they trailed by 2-6 to 0-5 at half time. Wexford struck clinically for two goals in the space of two minutes from the impressive Fiona Kavanagh and Josie Dwyer in the second quarter to set the tone for the second half.

JJ Doyle’s side ran riot after the restart, with Kate Kelly adding three points to bring her overall tally to eight, while goals from Bríd Gordon, Evelyn Quigley and Lenny Holohan – the latter with a brilliant overhead flick – saw them driving home their advantage.

Cork got their campaign off to a successful start when making light work of understrength Kilkenny 3-14 to 0-6 in Killeagh.

Cork had plenty of big guns lining out and the experience, ability and power of Gemma O’Connor, Jennifer O’Leary and Briege Corkery was well in evidence as the home side strolled to victory.

Cork led by 2-9 to 0-4 at the break, both goals coming from O’Leary, who finished with 2-4.

Dublin recorded a famous shock victory over Tipperary in a thriller, prevailing by just the minimum, 2-13 to 1-15, at Parnell Park.

The home side laid the foundation for success with two goals in a minute at the beginning of the second quarter from Áine Fanning and eye-catching 17-year-old Ali Twomey. That gave them a four-point interval advantage and though Tipperary poured on the pressure after the resumption, some last-ditch defending by Dublin secured the verdict.

With Louise O’Hara contributing five points in a brilliant midfield display and the defence performing heroics, the spoils went to Dublin in the end.