Camogie wrap: Galway begin defence with facile victory

Galway got the defence of their Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie title off to a relatively stress-free start as they cantered to a 4-11 to 1-6 victory over Limerick at Pearse Stadium.

John Lillis selected four debutants for the visitors and the Limerick boss must have been pleased with the way the Shannonsiders competed in the first half in particular. His counterpart, Cathal Murray will be glad to get the campaign under way as his side look to complete a two-in-a-row for the first time in Galway's history.

Niamh Hanniffy sprinted clear of the cover to register Galway’s first goal in the 11th minute and Carrie Dolan finished brilliantly with a one-handed strike just before the interval to give the champions a 2-1 to 0-4 lead into the wind, Caoimhe Costelloe’s free-taking keeping Limerick in touch.

Orlaith Kelleher gave Lillis’s crew an early advantage but they had no answer as Hanniffy went through the gears to complete a hat-trick of goals, while Ailish O’Reilly finished with four points. Costelloe’s goal from a free brought her tally to 1-05 for Limerick.

Injury-time points from Susan Daly and a Chloe Morey free secured a share of the spoils for Clare with Tipperary at the end of a competitive but tight affair at The Ragg. Clare had defeated Tipp after a replay in the Munster Championship and so it was no surprise that the teams knew each other so well, more or less cancelling each other out.

Cáit Devane (pictured) scored three of her five points as Tipp led by 0-05 to 0-03 at half-time, Zi Yan Spillane and Lorna McNamara getting on the mark for the visitors.

Clare drew level at the three-quarter mark but two converted frees by Devane edged Tipp two ahead. Eimear Kelly and Ereena Fryday swapped point and it looked