There was plenty of success for Ulster teams in the Gala Junior A Camogie Championship at the weekend as the battle for the New Ireland Cup continues to gathers pace.
Derry's double scores win over Waterford yesterday in the Ragg, Thurles helped the Oak Leafers book a semi-final spot against Down on 29 July after a convincing final quarter display.
Conditions were ideal for this game and it was Derry who took the early initiative to lead by 1-03 to 0-01 after 12 minutes thanks to a goal from half-forward Paula McAtamney.
However, Waterford came right back into contention thanks to a Karen Kelly goal and the sides continued to remain in close contention to ensure pairity at 1-03 apiece by the interval.
Both teams were hungry for scores in the third quarter with Lisa McGoldrick and Aileen Laverty on target with Derry points, but Aine Lyng kept Waterford in touch from frees with the sides level as the game entered the final quarter.
However, Lyng's fourth point of the hour was to be Waterford's final score as Derry pulled away to score 1-05 without reply with Aileen Laverty bringing her game tally to 1-03 with an impressive second Derry goal as they finished 2-10 to 1-05 winners.
Antrim are also through to the semi-finals after their 3-13 to 2-10 win over Down on Saturday.
The semi-final pairings are now known with Antrim to face Derry in an all-Ulster tie, while there is an equally intriguing tie down south with Clare taking on Waterford in the other semi. Both games take place on 29 July.
In the Minor Championship, there were easy wins for Kilkenny over Dublin and Tipperary easily accounted for Wexford.
In the U-16 championship, there were two vital play-offs, which saw Dublin beat Antrim 5-08 to 1-07. Leagh West was Dublin's top scorer with four goals. They now play Cork next weekend in the semi-final.
Elsewhere, Clare beat Galway 1-13 to 1-09 with a crucial first half injury-time goal from top scorer Shauna Enright, who eventually finished with 1-08 to her name. Waterford scored a 4-06 to 1-06 victory over Kildare in the U-16 B Championship.
