Reigning All-Ireland Camogie champions Tipperary have progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition after a comfortable 2-17 to 0-04 over Dublin in Semple Stadium at the weekend. The defending three in a row champions were 0-04 up before Dublin registerd their opening point in the 10th minute from Ciara Lucey. Eight minutes later Emer McDonnell, who earlier had seen her penalty saved by the Dublin defence, got her sides's opening goal to put Michael Cleary's girls ahead 1-06 to 0-02. Further Tipperary points from star player Claire Grogan, McDonnell and Emily Hayden left the champions 1-10 to 0-03 ahead at the break.
The Dubs opened the scoring in the second half with a Louise O'Hara point, but that was to be their last score and Tipperary dominated the second half with a goal from Philly Fogarty and further excellent points from Grogan and McDonnell, while Tipp's ace fullforward Deirdre Hughes was kept to a point due to the tight marking of Dublin fullback Aoife Cullen.
Tipperary will now contest the quarter-finals on August 3rd, while Dublin meet Limerick in the qualifying round next weekend.
Meawhile, championship favourites Cork had an easy first round victory over Limerick to book their place in the quarter-finals. The overcame their neighbours 4-19 to 1-06 in Pairc Ui Roinn. Two first half goals from Caoimhe Harrington and Rachel Moloney left the Cork side ahead 2-13 to 0-03 at the break.
A goal straight after the break from Cork's Jenny O'Leary was quickly cancelled out with a goal from Aine O'Connell of Limerick to leave it Cork 3-13 to Limerick's 1-03. However, Cork piled on the pressure and despite some fine points from Eileen O'Brien for Limerick they could not match Cork on this occassion.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
