Last year’s All-Ireland Intermediate beaten finalists Cork had an emphatic 5-16 to 0-08 win over Carlow in their opening Group 1 game of the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship.Cork were ahead by 11 points at the break; 1-11 to 0-03 and they were clinical in front of the posts and ruthless in the second half as they ran out convincing winners.

In the other Group 1 encounter Down and Derry played out a 0-18 to 1-15 draw in Portaferry. Derry led by 1-09 to 0-10 at the break with the goal coming from Bróna Ní Chaiside’s 60 metre free that sailed all the way into the net. Down, led by Niamh Mallon, who scored 0-11 in all, were much better in the 2nd half and looked to be heading for victory until Gráinne McGoldrick slotted between the post to earn Derry a share of the spoils.

In Group 2 Galway and Tipperary played out a high scoring draw in what was an entertaining game of camogie. Galway got their first goal inside the opening minute through Niamh Fox. Jenny Grace raised the green flag for Tipp in the 16th minute to put them ahead for the first time. Fox grabbed her second goal just before half-time as the sides went in level – 2-06 to 1-09. Aoife Loughney scored Tipp’s second goal in the first minute of the second half to edge them back in front. Amy Caulfield got Galway’s third goal and they scored a point to stoppage time to salvage a 3-11 to 2-14 draw.

Kilkenny had a 3-14 to 0-06 win over Antrim in their Group 2 clash. Edel Coonan got the Cats opening goal in the fourth minute. Five minutes later and Mary O’Connell got their second goal. The Cats were ahead 2-07 to 0-03 at half-time. Coonan scored her second and her side’s third goal six minutes from time to help complete a 17 point win.

Also in Group 2 Westmeath had an excellent 6-13 to 2-05 win over Kildare. Megan Dowdall got the Lake County’s first goal in the fifth minute, Hannah Core got their second one five minutes later. Denise McGrath grabbed a brace as Westmeath led at the break by 4-09 to 0-01. The strong wind helping them in that half. Dowdall scored two more goals in the second half as she claimed a hat-trick to help Johnny Greville’s side to an opening 18 point win.