Cork made it two wins on the trot to take hold of the 2B standings, while Wexford and Tipperary secured their first wins of the 2024 campaign.
Kilkenny 1-08 Wexford 3-09, Graiguenamanagh GAA
Second half goals from Emer Hunt helped Wexford get their account open in Division 2B, coming out seven point winners in a closely fought affair between these two bordering counties.
A very closely contested game in the early minutes until Afton Grace fired to the net after four minutes to put the hosts ahead 1-2 to 0-1. Wexford hit the next three points to reduce arrears to just a single point, KIlkenny were strong to keep by the most part ahead in the half by two points.
Wexford were knocking on the door and stayed with the hosts and with 31 minutes elapsed in Graiguenamanagh, Lisa Firman struck the opening goal for Wexford. A massive turning point before the break as Wexford marginally took a 1-6 to 1-5 lead to the break.
Riona Crowley was quick to level matters soon after the restart, Caoimhe Byrne pulled the strings to help Wexford back ahead with two points in a very cagey second half. The second of those points arrived with 23 minutes elapsed in the second period.
From here on it was all Wexford, Hunt with the first of her goals shy of the hour mark as Wexford moved clear 2-8 to 1-7. A pointed free from Grace Roche furthered the lead before Hunt struck a second right at the death to cap a strong performance to make up for last week’s bitter disappointment.
Clare 0-12 Tipperary 2-07, Meelick
Second half goals from Sinead Meagher and Amy Quinlisk were instrumental in seeing Tipperary pick up their opening win of the league
In what was a closely fought opening half of action, Clare would take a 0-8 to 0-5 lead to the dressing rooms in Meelick, as another defeat looked on the cards for Tipp over their Munster foes.
For John Carmody’s charges they looked to switch off in the second half, allowing first Meagher to pounce and ripple the back of the net and then the real crumbing blow, Quinlisk’s late strike that saw the Premier come out one point winners. Utter heartbreak for the Banner for their first home tie of 2024.
Galway 0-09 Cork 1-10, Kinvara
Cork produced an inspired performance in the final minutes of their tie with Galway, backed by Emily O’Donoghue finding the net five minutes from time to overcome Galway in Kinvara.
Again the strong wind in Kinvara played to the Tribeswomen’s advantage in the opening half, leading 0-6 to 0-2 at half-time, Niamh Spellman was again as accurate as ever, four of Galway’s six points coming from frees taken by the half-forward.
Cork needed a reply in the second half, for the early stages they were again playing second best to Galway, O’Donoghue firing over a point after 34 minutes, the first score to inspire the comeback.
As the sides traded further scores, Galway were ahead by two with mere minutes left on the clock, up stepped O’Donoghue to turn the tie in favour of the Leesiders, a sweet strike to the back of the net for a one point advantage, Cork managed to see the game out in style. Cliona O’Callaghan with two late points before Edel Sheehy ensured the outcome in stoppage time with another sweetly struck effort.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.