Cork set up All-Ireland camogie final showdown with Galway after grabbing two early goals 

Cork 2-16 Tipperary 0-17

Two first-half goals helped secure the win for Cork over Tipp in their Glen Dimplex All-Ireland camogie semi-final clash at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday evening.

This was always going to be a battle, but those two goals put Cork in control by half-time, and they drove on to victory.

This was a superb team performance for the Rebels as they dominated the early exchanges. Such was their first-half domination, they scored 13 out of 13 of their scoring chances and had no wides.

The wind was a factor but after the break they managed the game well to see them reach their sixth All-Ireland final in a row.

To pick out any player over others would probably be a bit unfair as all played their part in the win, with Libby Coppinger being name Player of the Game.

Eimear McGrath opened the scoring for Tipp from a free in the first minute with Clodagh McIntyre adding a second for them, despite playing against the wind.

Emma Murphy got Cork off the mark, with Sorcha McCartan adding a second to put the Rebels back on level terms, 0-2 each after five minutes.

Two minutes later and the Rebels took the lead when McCartan played Amy O’Connor in.

She danced around two defenders before burying the ball in the back of the net, to make it 1-2 to 0-2, giving McCartan the famous finger ‘nod’ afterwards.

McGrath replied from a free for Tipp to put two between the sides.

Murphy got her second, with Casey Hennessy replying for Tipp to make it 1-3 to 0-4.

McCartan put the goal between the sides again, as Cork led by 1-4 to 0-4 after 15 minutes.

Laura Hayes increased Cork’s lead, with McGrath replying for Tipp. O’Connor, from a free, and Murphy added points for Cork, before they got their second goal.

A sublime cross-field pass from O’Connor played Millie Condon in and she made no mistake, to make it 2-7 to 0-5. Orlaith Cahalane and O’Connor were on target again to keep Cork well in control.

With 27 minutes gone Saoirse McCarthy scored from distance, to see all six starting forwards now on target for Cork.

From their next attack McCarthy was unlucky not to add a goal, with a brilliant block from Karen Kennedy denying her a green flag.

Murphy and McGrath exchanged scores just before the break as Cork deservedly led by 2-11 to 0-8 at half time.

McGrath pulled a point back at the start of the second half from a 45 as Tipp were now trying to make use of the wind.

With 39 minutes gone Cork had keeper Amy Lee to thank when she saved superbly to deny Grace O’Brien what looked like a certain goal.

McGrath pointed the resulting 45 to make it 2-11 to 0-10.

O’Connor got Cork’s first score of the second half, with McCartan adding their second, after a great run from McCarthy.

Eimear Heffernan and Caoimhe Stakelum replied for Tipp, to make it 2-13 to 0-13 after 48 minutes.

Cahalane and Heffernan exchanged points, before Karin Blair pointed to make it 2-14 to 0-15, with six minutes left.

She added another in injury time as the Rebels ran out deserving winners to now face Galway in the final on August 9.

Scorers for Cork: A O’Connor 1-3 (0-2 f), E Murphy 0-4, S McCartan 0-3, M Condon 1-0, O Mullins, O Cahalane 0-2 each, L Hayes, S McCarthy 0-1 each.

Tipperary: E McGrath 0-7 (5f, 0-2 45), G O’Brien 0-3, E Heffernen, C Stakelum 0-2 each, C McIntyre, K Blair 0-1 each.

CORK: A Lee (Na Piarsaigh); I O’Regan (Ballygarvan), L Coppinger (St Colums), M Cahalane (St Finbarr’s): A Fitzgerald (Sarsfields), M Murphy (Ballinora), I Sheehan (Éire Óg); A Thompson (Milford), L Hayes (St Catherine’s); E Murphy (Glen Rovers), S McCarthy (Courcey Rovers), M Condon (Ballinascarthy); A O’Connor (St Vincent’s), S McCartan (St Finbarr’s), O Cahalane (St Finbarr’s).

Subs: O Mullins (Sarsfields) for E Murphy (52), H Ryan (Blackrock) for A Thompson (56),

TIPPERARY: l Leenane; A Quinlisk, M Eviston, E Loughman; C McCarthy, K Blair, C Guinan; K Kennedy, C Hennessy; E Heffernan, R Howard, C McIntyre; C Stakelum, E McGrath, G O’Brien.

Subs: L Purcell for C Hennessy (48), A Dwyer for C McIntyre, C Quirke for E Loughman (both 52), N Treacy for E McGrath (60).

Referee: Barry Nea, Westmeath.