All-Ireland champions and Division One League leaders Cork showed their metal when they swept aside a disappointing Wexford side 1-18 to 1-03 in Cushinstown on Sunday. Playing with a strong side, Cork showed their class in the opening half with an opportunist goal from All-Ireland captain Úna O'Donoghue. Ciara Healy put her through for Cork's only goal of the match, which put them comfotabley ahead 1-12 to 1-01 at the break, the Wexford goal having come from Jenna Murphy after only eight minutes.
The second half belonged to Cork as a tight defence kept Wexford to two points from Kate Kelly while the All-Ireland champions struck over some delightful points from Orla O'Sullivan, Fióna O'Driscoll and Emer Dillon.
Elsewhere in Division One, the Dubs made their trip to Derry worthwhile as they won 0-13 to 1-04 in Drumsurn to send them through to the semi-finals. Derry got off to a lightening start with a thirteenth second goal from Michelle Comer. However, the Dubs reshaped quickly and delighted the crowd with fine points from Karen Blood and Sinead Elliot, which put them ahead 0-07 to 1-02 at the break.
It was pretty much one way traffic in the second half with Dublin's Julie Draeper and Sinead Elliot again finding the posts when necessary. Derry's best offering in this half were two points from Gráinne Mc Goldrick.
The other remaining Division One match saw Kilkenny overcome Limerick 2-12 to 1-05 in Nowlan Park, with two first half goals from Emily Dermody and Mairead Costelloe which put the cats 2-08 to 1-01 ahead at the interval. The Limerick goal came a minute after Kilkenny's second goal from the great Limerick stylist Eileen O'Brien. The Cats were purring in the second half with some great points from top scorer of the day, Aoife Neary.
Offaly showed they may well be a force to reckon with in the championship as they overcame Kilkenny 7-10 to 0-02 in the Division Two encounter in Lusmagh. Two opening first-half goals from Michelle Davis and Maggie Lynch gave them a comfortable half time lead of 2-07 to 0-01. The second half belonged entirely to the faithful county where Michelle Davis netted a further two goals to earn herself a hat-trick of goals on the day.
Armagh took a step closer to the Division Two play-offs when they overcame Antrim 5-09 to 3-01in Loughiel. Two opening first half goals from Emma O'Farrell and Donna McCusker set the pace for the Orchard county girls who were 2-04 to 1-0 ahead at the break. Despite two further Antrim goals in the second half from Marie O'Connell and Danielle Clarke, Armagh's Patricia McEvoy with two goals as well as one from Mairead O'Kane, saved the day for the Orchard County.
Down who are in Division Two for the first time in some years had a big win of 3-09 to 0-03 over a disappointing Roscommon side in Strangford. Recently returned from injury Máirín Mc Aleelan put in a polished performance with a total of 2-07. Elsewhere Carlow kept their unbetean record intact with a 1-13 to 1-01 win over Waterford in Myshall. Carlow great Valerie Crean had the ball in the back of the net just before the break, which left Carlow 1-06 to 0-0 ahead at the whistle. Waterford put in a much better performance in the second half with a tenth minute goal from Patrice Clancy, but further points from Mary Cody, Valerie Crean and Fiona Byrne saved the day for Carlow.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
