It was another cracking weekend of camogie as the second round of Littlewoods National Leagues got underway.
The second round of fixtures offered some surprise victories as well as magnificent goals.
Division One: Tipperary v Waterford: 2-16 to 0-11.
It was a long way home from Clonmel for the Deise women as Tipperary delivered a stunning first half performance against Waterford.
Tipps’ Clodagh McIntyre got a dream start scoring a goal after 16 seconds. It was perfect, a quick throw-in, followed by a long shot into the box by Ereena Fryday. A second goal arrived in the second minute of first-half injury time, when Waterford’s Keeley Corbett Barret failed to pick up the sliotar on the run and was used to Tipp’s Eimear McGrath advantage.
Midfielder Cait Devane was awarded Player of the Match after scoring 12 points from play.
Waterford done well to keep going in the game, but those two goals proved too much to overcome, with Tipperary winning 2-16 to 0-11 points.
Offaly v Dublin: 4-7 to 1.11
Offaly recorded one of their best wins in several years in their season debut against Dublin, much to everyon'e surprise.
Three points from Aisling Maher edged Offaly ahead in the early stages but it was short-lived, with Dublin’s Emma Mulroney scoring a goal. A back and forth of scores over the bar followed and the sides were equal at 0-7 to 1-4 at half-time.
Niamh Gannon’s two points and another goal showed well for the Dubs as they moved six points clear. However, that advance was short-lived when Grainne Egan fired back with two goals of her own and drew the game.
Sarah Harding edged the visitors ahead, but the crucial score came when Egan completed her hat-trick in the 56th minute. Couch and Maher halved the gap until time ran out on Dublin.
Dual star Egan was still on fire as 24 hours later, she scored 1-4 for Offaly as they played Carlow in the first round of Ladies Gaelic football.
Goal for Offaly! What a brilliant game in Littlewoods Division 1 with @OffalyCamogie edging out @CamogieDublin by 4-7 to 1-17 with this Emma Mulrooney cracker on our Live Stream coverage.. @OfficialCamogie pic.twitter.com/fFBJag6NwJ
— Jerome Quinn (@JeromeQuinn) May 22, 2021
Limerick v Clare:
Limerick’s youthful side proved too much for neighbouring Clare as they won on a score-line of 2-14 to 1-11.
Clare created a good impression against Galway in the previous week but were not able to contend with the speed of Limerick.
Limerick’s Caoimhe Costelloe kept the Clare side confused as she struck the back of the net with two fantastic goals. She first took on a clearance by Banner goalie Doireann Murphy, hitting the ball almost as quick as it was pucked out.
Clare’s Chloe Morey brought her tally to five points to keep the side preserving but trouble arrived when Limerick were awarded a penalty. Costelloe blasted to the net to open up a nine-point gap.
Limerick laid the foundations for this win in the opening half and they succeeded in keeping Clare at arms- length well into the second period. Clare's goal, scored by Eimear Kelly arrived in the 49th minute was a welcome one but simply not enough to overcome the defeat.
Tipperary and Limerick are likely to advance to the knock-out stages of the league, with Waterford’s fate depending on their game against Cork next weekend.
Fixtures for Saturday 29th May:
Limerick v Galway
Waterford v Cork
Offaly v Kilkenny
Meanwhile in Division 2, Down, Galway, Cork, Kilkenny, Kildare and Westmeath were victorious. Division 3 honours went to Clare and Wexford, as Carlow and Limerick drew. Tyrone, Cavan, Mayo and Roscommon were the winners in Division 4.
