Holders Cork and Kilkenny set for showdown in camogie final

Kilkenny and Cork will meet in the All-Ireland final following thrilling respective semi-final wins at Thurles on Saturday.

A goal direct from a sideline cut by Anne Dalton six minutes into the first half of extra-time proved the difference as Kilkenny just edged past Galway 3-15 to 1-19 on a dramatic day of camogie at Semple Stadium.

A 73rd minute goal from Ailish O’Reilly helped Galway force the game to extra time.

Galway had been much improved in the second half but it was notable that Kilkenny responded to every body blow positively, and having held the upper hand for the majority of proceedings, will go into the All-Ireland final on September 11th against three-in-a-row chasing Cork at Croke Park with plenty of confidence.

O’Reilly opened the scoring for Galway after just 49 seconds but just 37 seconds later, Shelly Farrell was hand-passing beyond Susan Earner at the other end, after a good run and pass from older sister Anna.

No mistake

Aoife Donohue slotted a couple of points to steady Galway down but Kilkenny kept their noses in front thanks to scores from captain Michelle Quilty and Anna Farrell.

Earner denied Shelly Farrell but Quilty made no mistake with her next opportunity just a few minutes later, as Anna Farrell and Katie Power combined to send her away.

Deadening the sliotar with her hurley, she struck as it bounced back up and the diagonal shot flew to the roof of the net.

That propelled Kilkenny into a 2-7 to 0-9 interval lead but Galway displayed a much improved intensity after the restart.

Two points from Niamh McGrath and others from Niamh Kilkenny and Molly Dunne brought them to within one. However Ann Downey’s team replied with a brace of points from Denise Gaule and another from Meighan Farrell to stretch the margin to four with a minute left.

But Galway hit back as O’Reilly pointed and then smashed a low shot beyond Emma Kavanagh to make it 2-13 to 1-16 and force extra time.

Niamh McGrath slotted her seventh point to move Galway ahead but then came the definitive goal, as Dalton’s sideline hopped and squirmed past the previously flawless Earner to nestle in the Galway net.

Gaule punished a couple of Galway indiscretions in the final period and that was enough to get them over the line.

Cork displayed all the traits that have won them the last two Liberty Insurance All-Ireland senior camogie titles to finally put a gritty Wexford away – 0-19 to 0-15 – after extra time.

Mammoth score

There had never been more than two points between the teams and they were tied on 0-14 apiece after 70 minutes.

Kate Kelly lofted a mammoth score from a free in the middle of the field soon after the resumption and the 36-year-old’s eighth point pushed Wexford ahead. But they weren’t to score again though as Cork finally opened up and registered the last five points.

Orla Cotter made it level for the 11th time from a free before Cork profited from the increasing space with points from Katrina Mackey, the magnificent Hannah Looney, Mackey and dual star Briege Corkery.

Aoife Murray made a late save from Chloe Foxe and Cork’s place in the decider on September 11th was assured.