Wexford power through to camogie final
Wexford 3-12 Kilkenny 1-11
A commanding second-half performance was the key as Wexford secured their spot in the Gala All-Ireland senior camogie final in front of 3,082 people at Nowlan Park.
It threatened to be The Ann Dalton Show early on as the Kilkenny captain scored the opening three points, the first from a free and the latter pair from 45s.
Wexford’s greater physical presence enabled them to gradually claw themselves back into proceedings however and with Ursula Jacob slotting six points from placed balls, they led at half time by 0-8 to 0-7.
Kilkenny’s radar was well off in the second half though as they shot seven wides and only managed three points before Denise Gaule struck for an injury time goal.
By that stage though, it was too little too late for the Cats as Wexford had rammed home three goals in the final quarter to put the game to bed.
Katrina Parrock took a pass from Kate Kelly to notch up the first in the 46th minute and two minutes later returned the favour with a sensational delivery to the onrushing centre-forward, who pulled first time to shake the rigging.
When Kelly’s speculative shot from 35m skidded off the turf into the Kilkenny net, the Model girls’ progression was confirmed.
Wexford: M D’Arcy; C O’Connor, C O’Loughlin, K Atkinson; N Lambert, M Leacy, A O’Connor; J Dwyer 0-1, D Codd; U Leacy 0-1, K Kelly 2-2, M O’Leary; K Parrock 1-0, U Jacob 0-8 (6fs, 1 45), F Kavanagh. Subs: B Gordon for O’Leary (48); E Quigley for Kelly (57-58); Quigley for Kavanagh (59).
Kilkenny: C Ryan; L Lyng, C Doherty, J Frisby; E Keane, L Fennelly, E Aylward; A Farrell 0-2, A Dalton 0-4 (1f, 2 45s); M Quilty 0-2 (fs), A Neary, K Power 0-2; C Dormer 0-1, S Farrell, M Dargan. Subs: K Hamilton for Dargan (36); A Butler for Fennelly (45); D Gaule 1-0 for Dormer (52); A Dunphy for Farrell (55).
Referee: F McNamara (Clare).
