Cats skin Rebels in semi-final

Cork 0-9 Kilkenny 0-12

A MAJESTIC performance by Anne Dalton gave Kilkenny a 0-12 to 0-9 victory over rivals Cork in the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 1 semi-final in Carriganore.

Only Galway stand in the Stripeywomen’s way of becoming just the third team to complete a four-in-a-row as a result of their sensational 2-14 to 0-4 defeat of Limerick at St Brendan’s Park.

Reigning Player of the Year Dalton was magnificent for Kilkenny, scoring four points from play in a more advanced role than has been the case in recent years and with Michelle Quilty landing six from frees, Ann Downey’s troops were able to turn around a one-point interval deficit to advance to the decider.

Indeed it was in the first half that the foundation for the triumph was put down, given that Cork had the benefit of a very strong wind and struggled to make it count on the scoreboard.

In fact it was Kilkenny that carved out an early two-point advantage, Dalton returning a loose clearance with interest after Quilty had converted a couple of frees either side of one from Orla Cotter, who was Cork’s leading scorer with five points.

Dalton and Katie Power added fine points for Kilkenny, but Cotter landed a lovely score from play later on and young attacker, Clíona Healy helped herself to two, one after a brave save by Noreside goalie Emma Kavanagh.

Yet at only 0-7 to 0-6 at half time, the All-Ireland champions were up against it.

Though Cotter extended Cork’s advantage within seconds of the resumption, Kilkenny, who introduced Denise Gaule for the second half, shot the next six points to put some daylight between the sides.

Quilty doubled her own personal tally with three more successful shots from frees, Gaule converted another from distance and as Dalton shot two more points, they established a 0-12 to 0-8 lead.

Kilkenny failed to score in the last 12 minutes plus three of additional time but Cork needed a goal and all they could manage was a point from Julia White so it was the Black and Ambers who progressed.