Down book camogie semi with Kerry, Antrim set up Offaly clash

Irish Examiner

05-07-2025

Antrim will play Offaly and Down will play Kerry in the semi-finals of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Championship after the Ulster sides came through their respective quarter-finals today.
The Faithful overcame Carlow on a 3-18 to 2-9 scoreline while Down saw off Meath, 2-13 to 0-10.
As that quartet battles to be promoted to the senior grade next year, whoever emerges will be replaced in the second tier by Derry, who were defeated by Wexford in the senior relegation final, with Ciara O'Connor scoring 3-5 for the winners in a 4-22 to 0-10 triumph at Protection & Prosperity Louth GAA Training Centre.
Meanwhile, in the day's other action Westmeath were comfortable victors over Kildare in the intermediate relegation final, by 3-21 to 0-9.
Wexford had the wind at their backs early on in the battle to retain senior status. They led 0-4 to 0-1 after 14 minutes when Ciara O'Connor and Anais Curran combined to pick out an unmarked Muireann Fitzpatrick in front of goal and she rattled the net.
Spaces became more readily available as the half wore on and Chloe Cashe brought her tally six with two points from play and another brace via frees from inside her own half.
O'Connor goaled from a penalty just before half-time and it was 2-12 to 0-2, with Derry's fate sealed.
They did offer more than the points scored by Orlaith Hull and Rachel Keenan when backed by the elements but Wexford were never in danger of ceding control.
O'Connor's second goal removed all doubt and after Aimee Lennon slotted a couple of nice points for Derry, the experienced attacker completed her hat-trick in definitive fashion.
Goals were the key as Offaly secured Division 2 success in the Very League earlier this season and they were at it again when shaking the net twice in the opening two minutes to rattle Carlow and set sail for the last four of the intermediate championship with 12 points to spare at Glenisk O'Connor Park.
Kate Pilkington raised the first green flag after just 27 seconds, having been set up by Mairéad Teehan and it was Teehan who grabbed the second, pouncing on a loose ball to finish from close range.
Carlow replied positively well with an Aimie Nolan goal but the dismissal of Leah Ryan was a blow and Niamh Sheehy goaled to leave it 3-5 to 1-4 at the change of ends.
The hosts had the wind in the second half and were happy to use it to keep the scoreboard ticking over as Ciara Maher, Mairead Teehan, Sheehy, Fianait Dooley and Grace Teehan split the posts.
Eleanor Treacy slotted some nice points from frees for Carlow and Nolan scored her second goal with a powerful shot but there was no catching the Faithful, who now taken on group winners and Division 1B League champions Antrim for a place in the decider.
Down were workmanlike at times but always held the upper hand as they accounted for Meath by nine points at Clonduff.
They only led by five points at the end of a very cagey first half, despite having the better of proceedings, with Paula O'Hagan's injury enforced absence obviously keenly felt.
Sara Louise Graffin stepped up with four points and with Dearbhla Magge notching up three, they were 0-8 to 0-3 ahead at the break, Grace Connolly and Isobel O'Connor raising white flags in injury time to keep the Royals in touch.
Points from Graffin, Magee and Saoirse Sands (her second) increased the gap and goals from Sands and Graffin, with each also providing the final pass for the other's major, cemented the verdict.
Aoife Carey shot five second half points for Meath but there was no way back for them and it is Domhnall Nugent's squad that advances to a semi-final battle with Kerry.