Limerick push All-Ireland champions all the way
Limerick 0-10 (0-7) Cork 1-12 (1-5)
Irish Daily Star National Camogie League
Division 1 Semi-Final
Sunday 19th April at 2.30pm
in Charleville, Co. Cork

Limerick made All-Ireland champions Cork work very hard for their win in the Division 1 League semi-final in Charleville on Sunday. Indeed when Limerick took the lead early in second half it looked as if the Shannonsiders were about to cause a major upset. But Cork's experience particularly off the bench saw them close out the game in the final 10 minutes to win by 1-12 to 0-10.
Cork went ahead early on with a goal and point from Amy O'Connor and it looked as if the young Cork star was going to cause problems but the Limerick defence in which Sarah Carey and Judith Mulcahy excelled, managed to put the shackles on her.
Limerick fought back well with Niamh Mulcahy scoring points from frees and play. The turning point came just before the break when Noreen Barry forced Cork goalkeeper, Amy Lee into a excellent save which was to prove critical.
With what wind there was at their backs in the second half, Limerick might have been satisfied to be trailing by just one point at half-time, 1-5 to 0-7.
After the break points from Niamh Mulcahy and Caoimhe Costelloe put Limerick ahead for the first time since the opening minutes. Cork levelled through an Orla Cotter 45 only for Niamh Mulcahy to restore Limerick's lead.
Amy Lee in the Cork goal pulled off another excellent save this time from Mary O'Callaghan as Limerick pushed the champions hard.
Cork made the changes illustrating the depth of their squad when dual All-Star Breige Corkery made an appearance. It was this experience that told at this point with Cork finishing with six unanswered points to run out winners on the day by 1-12 to 0-10.
Afterward Limerick's management were delighted with their side's performance and it is worth recalling that this is only Limerick's second year back in Division 1. They will now be look forward to their first Senior Championship campaign for many years which opens at home to Offaly on 20th June and on the evidence of their League campaign they need have nothing to fear from any opposition.
Limerick Scorers: Niamh Mulcahy 0-7 (3f), Rebecca Delee 0-2, Caoimhe Costelloe 0-1

Limerick Team:
Síle Moynihan (Ahane), Marguerita McCarthy (Ahane), Lorraine McCarthy (Bruff), Judith Mulcahy (Ahane), Rebecca Delee (Newcastle West), Sarah Carey (C) (Granagh Ballingarry), Fiona Hickey (Granagh Ballingarry), Niamh Mulcahy (Ahane), Caoimhe Costelloe (Adare), Aoife Sheehan (Granagh Ballingarry), Deborah Murphy (Knockaderry), Karen O'Leary (Newcastle West), Mary O'Callaghan (Bruff), Noreen Barry (Killeedy), Donna Mulcahy (Killeedy)
Subs:
Laura O'Neill (Na Piarsaigh), Caoimhe Lyons (Monaleen) Aoife Wilson (Na Piarsaigh), Sinéad McNamara (Na Piarsaigh), Leanne Browne (Newcastle West), Tara Fitzgibbon (Ballyagran), Rebecca Noonan (Granagh Ballingarry), Aishling Scanlon (Killeedy), Sinéad Madden (Mungret St Pauls), Chloe O'Brien (Ballyagran)

Limerick's Minors over-powered by Cats

Limerick 0-6 (0-4) Kilkenny 3-11 (0-8)
All-Ireland Minor A Championship
Semi-Final
Saturday 18th April at 3.45pm
in Birr, Co. Offaly

LImerick's dream of back-to-back All-Ireland minor titles was ended by an excellent Kilkenny side in Birr on Saturday. The Cats were on top from the start and two goals early in the second half ended the game as a contest with Kilkenny winning by 3-11 to 0-6.
Limerick set up to contain the Kilkenny attack and restricted them to two points from play in the first half but found their own scores hard to come by
Caoimhe Lyons opened the scoring with a first minute point for Limerick and it was nip and tuck for the first 20 minutes. However a late flurry from Kilkenny in the last 10 minutes sent them in four points ahead at half-time.
Limerick reverted to a more traditional set-up after the break however it was the Noresiders who made the better start when Edel Coonan blasted to the Limerick net from close range two minutes into the new half. Ciara Phelan added another goal nine minutes later to open up a nine-point margin and the game was effectively over as a contest.
The Limerick girls never gave up but were chasing the game now as they needed goals but the Kilkenny defence held firm and it was Kilkenny who finished stronger scoring 1-3 without reply to close out a deserved win.
This Limerick side did their county proud and it is continuing evidence of the strides being made that they are continuing to compete at the top level at all age grades.

Limerick Scorers: Caoimhe Lyons 0-3, Rebecca Noonan 0-2 (1f), Megan O'Mara 0-1

Limerick Team:
Laura O'Neill (Na Piarsaigh), Leanne Browne (C) (Newcastle West), Caoimhe O'Brien (Bruff), Sinead Madden (Mungret St Paul's), Aisling Regan (Murroe Boher), Tara Fitzgibbon (Ballyagran) , Chloe O'Brien (Ballyagran) , Caoimhe Lyons (Monaleen), Sinead McNamara (Na Piarsaigh) , Grainne Regan (Murroe Boher) , Dearbhla Egan (Crecora) , Megan O'Mara (Monaleen), Rebecca Noonan (Granagh Ballingarry), Sophie O'Callaghan (Adare), Aisling Scanlon (Killeedy)
Subs:
Aoife Barry (Murroe Boher), Aisling Scully (Granagh Ballingarry), Saoirse Barry (Murroe Boher), Siobhan Tangney (Croagh/Kilfinny), Marion Quaid (Bruff), Leah Riordan (Ballyagran), Aoife Coughlan (Crecora), Brenda O'Keefe (Granagh Ballingarry), Ellana Mulcahy (Killeedy), Grainne Ryan (Galbally), Roisin O'Mara (Ahane), Sarah Shanahan (Killeedy)

Dublin too strong for Limerick's Junior team

Limerick 0-2 (0-2) Dublin 3-9 (3-6)
Irish Daily Star National Camogie League
Division 3 Semi-Final
Sunday 19th April at 2pm
in Edenderry, Co. Offaly

Limerick's Junior side had a  tough day at the office as they were over-powered by a strong Dublin side in Edenderry on Sunday.

First half goals from Elaine Gallery, Siofra Walsh and Joeleene Hoary effectively ended the game as a contest before the break. Limerick got off the mark late in the half with a free from Caitrín De Bhál which was followed by a point from Clíona Lane from the resultant puck-out but it was Dublin who lead at half-time by 3-6 to 0-2.

Limerick did not add to their score in the second half but in a dogged defensive display they restricted Dublin's potent attack to three points but it is Dublin who progress to a final meeting with Carlow.

With a number of last year's Division 4 and Junior A winning side having made the transition to the senior ranks this is a team in transition and they will re-group after the league campaign and focus on their Premier Junior Championship opener against Roscommon on 5th July.

Limerick Scorers: Caitrín De Bhál 0-1(f), Clíona Lane 0-1

Limerick Team:
Catherine Fitzgerald (Adare), Katie Hennessey (Ballyagran), Anne Neville (Croagh Kilfinny), Caitríona Neville (Croagh Kilfinny), Sarah Crotty (Ahane), Grace Lee (Newcastle West), Néamh Curtin Ballybrown), Una O'Connor (Crecora), Niamh Tuite (Treaty Gaels), Mairéad Clancy (Ballybrown), Clíona Lane (Adare), Claire Keating (Cappamore), Caitrín De Bhál (Killeedy), Bríd Hannan (c) (Croagh Kilfinny), Mairéad O'Connell (Crecora)
Subs.
Orla Condon (Knockaderry), Louise Curtin (Ballybrown), Elaine Kennedy (Newcastle West), Avril Lane (Adare), Emily Rose Mulcahy (Killeedy), Sarah Fitzgerald (Croagh Kilfinny)

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