Camogie round-up: Bill McCormack sets sights on top prizes for Dublin

The Blues are on the brink of a spot in the last six after defeating Wexford by 4-13 to 1-10 at Parnell Park. With Claire Gannon excelling, skipper Aisling ­Maher continuing to flourish in the new quarterback role she has been designated this year and goals from Elyse Jamieson, Emma Flanagan, Grace O’Shea and Aisling Gannon, the hosts prevailed.

Dublin responded well to the concession of a second-minute goal by Chloe Foxe and had a bit of fortune when Anais Curran crashed her 21st minute penalty shot off the crossbar, after the whistle had been blown just before Joanne Dillon finished to the corner of the net.

McCormack was understandably satisfied, particularly given the absence of star forward Aisling O’Neill through injury.

“The performances have improved as the year has gone on, which is encouraging,” said McCormack. “We’ve had a couple of injuries, Ais O’Neill and ­Laura Sharkey, and it was great to see Laura back on the pitch for the first time after a bad hamstring injury.​

“There was a good spread of scores. Really effective forward line. They were potent and any time the ball went in there we looked like we were dangerous.”

The return of Sinéad Wylde after a stint with the footballers is another boost and her contribution upon being introduced in the second half was considerable.

“Sinéad came over from the football panel. It’s great to get a player of her calibre and with the strength and fitness that she has. The competition for places is massive.

“Gaby Couch is now gonna be going off for her J1 so there’s a jersey there to be grabbed and the likes of Sinéad will be looking to grab that jersey.

“We said it last year and even after the league. Look at what Waterford did. Why not [us]? There’s girls there have won Ashbourne Cups. There’s girls there that have won Leinster club championships and contested All-Ireland club championship finals. So why not?”

All-Ireland champions Cork have booked their qualification from the same group after a third straight comfortable victory, this time by 2-19 to 1-4 over Clare at Cusack Park. Amy O’Connor hit 1-5 and Orlaith Cahalane 1-4 as the Leesiders cantered through and for manager Ger Manley, it was a case of job done for the table toppers.

Cork’s clash with Galway will determine who goes directly to the semi-finals as group winners, and the league finalists had an even easier win over relegation-threatened Down at Pearse Stadium, 6-27 to 0-4. Niamh Niland (two), Sabina Rabbitte (two), Ailish O’Reilly and Orlaith McGrath were the goalscorers for Cathal Murray’s squad.

In Group 1, league champions Tipperary have also booked a return to the last six at least when maintaining their flawless record with a 1-17 to 0-6 defeat of Antrim at The Ragg. Nine points from Cáit Devane in her first start of the year and a goal from Grace O’Brien were the highlights for Denis Kelly’s charges.

Kilkenny remain unbeaten as a result of their 1-13 to 1-13 draw with last year’s All-Ireland finalists Waterford. Beth Carton shot nine points for the Déise girls while Mairéad O’Brien grabbed the equaliser, having grabbed her fifth goal in three outings just before half-time.

Aoife Doyle goaled for Kilkenny, while Katie Nolan and Miriam Walsh were constant threats and Sarah Barcoe and Sophie O’Dwyer came up with some big scores late on for the Noresiders.