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A strong first half display powered Wexford to National League Division One success over Limerick at Bunclody yesterday. In their first match of the 2009 campaign, the All Ireland champions of two years ago got off to a blistering start with full forward Michelle Hearne back after a 12 month absence, bagging two excellent goals, while Ursula Jacob playing at corner forward helped herself to 1-1.

The Slaneysiders were clearly the dominant force in that opening 30 minutes, but credit to Limerick they stayed in touch with Niamh Mulcahy pointing from placed balls. White flags also arrived from Moira Dooley, Sinead McAuliffe and Catriona Debhal before Joanne Clifford netted towards the end. After shipping a substantial beating from Galway last weekend, and despite being at the wrong end of a 3-7 to 1-6 score this time, manger Phelim Macken will have been much happier with this result.

Elsewhere, at Lattin Cullen, Tipperary gathered their second set of points with a comfortable victory over Dublin, 2-13 to 1-6. The Premier girls will be pleased with their performances to date, and while the Dubs put it up to them for the first quarter, once goals arrived from Joanne Ryan and Emily Hayden it put the home side into a commanding interval position of 2-5 to 0-2.

Dublin who lost midfielder Eimear Brannigan to injury before the game, pulled a goal back in the fourth quarter, but with the Tipperary defence rock solid – the half back trio of Julie McGrath, Trish O’Halloran and Aine Mulcahy in particular impressive – there were very few opportunities for Dublin to narrow the gap.

Clare were at home to Kilkenny, however, it was the Cats who walked away with the honours following a 1-14 to 0-11 triumph. The teams were level at 0-5 apiece at the changeover however the Black and Amber came out for the second half in determined mood. Ann Dalton tallied eight points (all from placed balls), whilst the goal came from the stick of Deirdre Delaney.

In spite of Roisin McMahon’s contribution of nine points for Clare, the Banner ladies, who are making great strides at the top level, still had to settle for second best. Their remaining tie is away to Dublin in two weeks time.

Meanwhile in Division Two Tipperary proved too strong for Derry in the National League winning by six points, 1.10 to 0.07.

“We were disappointed by the result, it really was a game of two halves,” said Derry manger Danny McGrellis.

“We performed much better in the second-half but unfortunately we couldn’t forge a telling comeback. The positive thing is the second-half performance, it’s just a matter of making sure that we play that way consistently,” he added.

Armagh suffered a loss at the hands of Meath yesterday in Division 3 of the National League and despite six points between the sides manager Sean Duffy is confident that his side can turn their season around.

“I did see improvements since the Laois game and I saw a lot of things that we worked on in training coming off. I thought we were the better side, we just didn’t convert our chances and when that happens it often comes back to bite you.”

In the other Division Three game it proved third time lucky for Down as they overcame Offaly by four points, 2.06 to 1.05.

In Division Four Tyrone recorded a comfortable win over Carlow, Captain Julie Lagan was in fine form in the back-line and pushed forward at any opportunity and she was rewarded for her efforts with a goal.

In the All Ireland senior A colleges final at Drom & Inch, St Brigid’s Callan retained the title with a hard-fought 1-11 to 1-6 win over Portumna. A personal total of 1-9 from outstanding centre forward Denise Gaule proved crucial.

Credit to Portumna though, who went in at the break 0-5 to 0-3 ahead, and while they remained in contention into the second half, the Kilkenny side aided by a strong breeze took over in the final quarter.

The B final in Rathoath was a highly entertaining game with Blackwater CS coming out on top, 4-5 to 3-4 against St MacNissis’s Garron Tower, Antrim. Last year’s All Ireland C victors have given camogie a major fillip in Wateford. The all-important goals coming from Michelle Tobin, Caitriona McGlone, Carole McCarthy and Aoife Hannon.

St Colm’s Draperstown needed extra time to overcome Grennan College, Thomastown, also in Ratoath. After 80 minutes, just one point decided the outcome, 1-7 to 0-9.