Cork keeper Amy Lee hits the net as All-Ireland camogie semi-final spot secured against Waterford

Cork 1-13 Waterford 0-10 

Without setting the world alight, Cork booked their place in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland camogie semi-final in front of a big crowd at Páirc Uí Rinn. 

Leading by just a goal at the interval, Cork showed huge improvement through the second half and were full value for their victory which sees them top the group.

Waterford are into quarter-final against Kilkenny but are set to be without star player Niamh Rockett, who was issued with a straight red card by referee Donnacha McCarthy for a high tackle deep into injury time. Galway are also straight through to the semis with Clare against Tipp in the other quarter-final.

Cork welcomed back captain Meabh Cahalane and Ashling Thompson. Having won the toss, they went with the aid of the very strong wind but it was only 1-5 to 0-5 at the break, as they were guilty of shooting nine wides.

Mairead O'Brien and Sorcha McCartan hit scores at either end before a bizarre goal from play through Cork keeper Amy Lee. Her one-two with Libby Coppinger from a puck-out was launched up field and bounced over Waterford keeper Brianna O'Regan’s head and into the net.

Annie Fitzgerald and Bevan Bowdren responded with Waterford points as they worked possession through the lines. Both teams employed sweepers so the inside forwards had to work hard to win possession. 

McCartan kept Cork in front with two excellent points, while scores from Amy O'Connor and Saoirse McCarthy were matched by Annie Fitzgerald and Beth Carton efforts. That meant Lee’s goal that separated the sides at the whistle.

Against the wind, Cork denied Waterford an early score with Lee dealing with Lorraine Bray’s attempt. While Beth Carton split the posts to cut the gap to two, Cork upped the pace significantly. 

With Orlaith Cahalane playing deeper and winning possession, she made it a three-point game again. Cork were drawing frees and O'Connor converted three to put six between the sides as the game entered the final quarter.

Twice the sides swapped points. O'Connor had another two frees while Rockett scored from play and a placed ball but Cork continued to hold the upper hand with their defence dealing comfortably with the Waterford attack.

Carton pointed with McCarthy replying from the puck-out before Waterford were reduced to 14 with time almost up. The final say went to the returning Thompson, to give Cork a six-point victory and ensure their place in the last four.

Scorers for Cork: A O'Connor 0-6 f, S McCartan 0-3, A Lee 1-0, S McCarthy 0-2, O Cahalane, A Thompson 0-1 each.

Waterford: B Carton 0-4 (0-2 f), A Fitzgerald 0-2, N Rockett 0-2 (0-1 f), M O'Brien, B Bowdren 0-1 each.

CORK: A Lee; I O’Regan, L Coppinger, M Cahalane; A Fitzgerald, M Murphy, I Sheehan; M Condon, L Hayes; S McCarthy, A Thompson, E Murphy, S McCartan, O Cahalane, A O’Connor. 

Subs: N McNabola for E Murphy (59), H Ryan for L Hayes (inj 65).

WATERFORD: B O'Regan; V Falconer, L Forrest, A McNulty; C Carroll, K Corbett-Barry, R Walsh; O Hickey, A Flynn; E O'Neill, B Carton, B Bowdren; A Fitzgerald, M O’ Brien, M Gostl.

Subs: L Bray for M Gostl (h-t), N Rockett for M O'Brien (35), A O'Sullivan for O Hickey (55), R Kirwin for A Fitzgerald (58).

Referee: Donnacha O'Callaghan (Limerick).