CAMOGIE:CORK'S CAMOGIE team repeated the feat of the county's hurlers a fortnight ago by emerging with victory over old rivals Tipperary.

The champions held off a brave second-half rally to secure a 1-16 to 0-15 win at Semple Stadium in the first round of the Gala All-Ireland senior championship.

Gemma O’Connor and Orla Cotter were among the stars for the champions who raced into a 0-9 to 0-4 interval lead. Maria Walsh’s goal three minutes after the resumption stretched their advantage to seven points.

Tipperary rallied after this setback though. Mary Ryan was defiant in defence and with Claire Grogan unerring from placed balls – she slotted five frees and a 45 to go with a good score from play – they dragged themselves back in contention.

Crucially though, O’Connor kept sniping the odd point to give her side breathing space, and she finished with a tally of five minors, four of which came from play.

Last year’s runners-up Kilkenny got their attempt to go one better off to a good start when they prevailed by 1-14 to 1-11 over Galway, who have their own designs on championship glory.

In the third game, Clare came away from St Peregrine’s with a 2-10 to 0-9 win over Dublin. The home side tried hard and had one of the game’s most outstanding performers in midfielder Louise O’Hara, who shot four points from play and a couple more from frees.