Limerick retained their Division One National League status for next season when they beat Wexford, who now drop to Division one 'B', 2-06 to 1-07 in Feenagh. Wexford were quick off the mark with a point from Michelle O'Leary inside the opening two minutes but it was quickly cancelled out by Limerick's top marks women Eileen O'Brien. Both sides were level 1-03 a piece at the break following a Vera Sheehan goal on twenty-seven minutes, while Wexford levelled on the blow with a goal from Michelle Ahearne. Limerick's winning second half goal came from Áine O'Reilly with seven minutes remaining, but still Wesxford were trying to cling on with Aine Codd sending over three frees. But the final score of the game fell to that Limerick ace Eileen O'Brien.
Elsewhere in Division One, Derry conceded the points to Tipperary who are now through to the National League semi-final next Sunday against Kilkenny. Armagh only needed a draw to see them through to the semi-final next Sunday against Carlow and that was how it finished in their close affair with Dublin in Ballymacnab, Armagh scoring 1-08 to Dublin's 2-05. Mary Black was on song in the last ten minutes for the Orchard County when she scored Armagh's only goal. Dublin were well in control in the first having made good use of the strong wind and thanks to goals from Karen Blood and Paula Malcolmson were 2-04 to 0-0 ahead a the break. However, they found the weather elements too strong in the second half and had to bow to Mary Black's winning goal.
Clare are into the second semi-final against Galway following their Division Two play off against Kildare, which saw them defeat the Lilywhites 1-07 to 2-01 in Duggan Park.Ballinasloe. Leading 1-07 to Kildare's 0-01 at the break, Susie O'Carroll was the Lilywhites' hero with two goals within seven minutes of the final whistle.
Meanwhile Derry overcame Tipperary 3-07 to 2-09 in The Ragg which meant that Derry finished in second place in the Division 2D section. Derry put in a thrilling final ten minutes with two goals from Sinead Stevenson and one from Catherine Pickering.
The only other outstanding Division Two match was the meeting of Offaly and Cork in Rath, where the Rebel County came out on top 3-10 to Offaly's 2-03. Cork's victory leaves them in second place in Division 2A, but Galway have already qualified with a point to spare over Cork.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
