Kilkenny made no mistake at the second time of asking when proving too strong for Cork in the All-Ireland minor A camogie final replay at Fraher Field by 1-12 to 0-6 writes Daragh Ó Conchúir.
Cork had snatched a second bite of the cherry thanks to a late Orla Cronin goal but never looked like making the most of that opportunity in Dungarvan.
The Leesiders had a strong wind in their favour in the first half and established an early two-point lead but from the time Mary Corcoran breached their defences with a goal, it was Kilkenny on the front foot.
They led by 1-4 to 0-5 at half time and with the elements becoming even more of a factor after the resumption, pulled clear with points from player of the match, Lydia Fitzpatrick and the excellent Maria Walsh amongst others.
Cork only managed one point after the resumption. They were hugely reliant on their saviour in the first encounter Orla Cronin, who slotted four points, one of which came from a penalty.
This was due largely to the dominance of the Kilkenny half-back line, with Mary O’Connell giving a thunderous performance from centre-back.
Fitzpatrick also provided four points for Kilkenny, with two of those from 45s but Corcoran, Walsh and Ciara Holden were other multiple scorers, while Aisling Nolan and Lorraine Long were on the mark as well.
Kildare annexed the All-Ireland minor C championship in Drogheda. The Lilywhites came out on top of a wonderfully entertaining affair against Armagh, 2-11 to 2-9.
Armagh had the advantage of a stiff breeze in the first half and led by 0-5 to 0-2 after 12 minutes, with four points coming from the stick of the excellent Sinead Kirwin.
Kildare full-forward and player of the match, Emer O’Reilly finished with a tally of nine points and she kept Kildare in touch before Chanice Corcoran followed a point with a goal to put Kildare on top. Kirwin and Reilly added three and two points each to leave the sides level at the break, 0-8 to 1-5.
The Lilies had the wind after the resumption and quickly went six points clear as Sarah Clancy’s early point was followed by five from O’Reilly, with four coming from frees.
It was looking comfortable for the All Whites but with Laura Smyth relentless at centre-forward, Armagh continued to dig deep. Siodhna Woods’ goal gave them hope and when Kirwin rattled the net after a goalmouth scramble, the Orchard County girls were a point in front with three minutes remaining.
That was enough time for Kildare though and when Corcoran’s shot was excellently saved, Niamh Hegarty was on hand to flick to the net from the rebound.
