Derry camogs book semi-final spot

All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship quarter-final

Derry 1-23 Dublin 1-10

DERRY have progressed to the last four of Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship after Saturday’s win over Dublin in Portaloise.

They are joined by Meath after their 2-17 to 1-7 victory over Kerry at the same venue.

The second-string teams of Cork and Galway were already through to the last four, as a result of topping their groups at the end of the round-robin stages.

The semi-finals are down for decision on Saturday, July 23.

Derry were hot favourites to account for Dublin but the Metropolitans’ second team were in no mood to roll over as they began with real urgency. This was illustrated by a fanatical workrate, particularly in their attack, where a number of forced turnovers led to scores for Jimmy Greville’s outfit.

With former senior forwards’ All-Star nominee Siobhán Kehoe influential in the heart of the defence, they galloped to an early lead, three points from Ciara Holland and two from Ellen Dunphy putting them four ahead after just 12 minutes.

A Niamh McQuillan save from Aoife Deegan heralded an improved effort by the Oak Leafers and settling scores from Sinéad McGill and Áine McAllister followed. Approaching the break, they had moved two ahead only for Dublin to hit the last three scores, with a marvellous point from distance by Kehoe to lead 0-9 to 0-8 at half-time.

Player of the match, Mairéad McNicholl equalised from the throw-in and Martin Coulter’s words in the dressing room looked to have an impact as Aoife Shaw and skipper Shannon O’Doherty followed up.

When Shaw capitalised on some outstanding spadework and support play by McAllister to goal, it was looking ominous. Holland did raise a green flag at the other end to give Jimmy Greville’s side some brief hope but that was ruthlessly extinguished, McAllister (who finished with 0-8, three from frees), Shaw (1-4) and McNicholl (0-4) keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

Antrim and Down failed to reach the knock-out stages of the Senior Championship, but there will be a strong Ulster presence in the Premier Junior semi-final line-up, with Cavan joining Armagh and Antrim’s second team.

All-Ireland Premier Junior semi-finals – Saturday, July 23 in Tullamore.
Armagh v Cavan (1.00)
Antrim v Clare (3.00)