Dillon's first half strike, set up by Jennifer O'Leary and Una O'Donoghue, proved crucial as the Rebelettes fended off a tough challenge from Galway.

Full-forward Lourda Kavanagh, who tallied up 0-4 by the finish, kept Galway competitive as they trailed by 1-3 to 0-3 at the break.

The girls from the west were being roared on from the stands by former Galway hurling star John Connolly, whose daughter Aislinn was playing in midfield.

Very little quarter was given in this tie, and it took a full 19 minutes before either defence conceded a score - Cork wing forward O'Leary sent over the opening point and her first of three frees.

Kavanagh quickly replied from a place ball at the other end, and Cork knew they were in for a fight. Midfield was going their way with the ever lasting Briege Corkery proving a constant threat with her mazy running.

Corner forward Dillon's goal sent the O'Duffy Cup holders into a 1-1 to 0-1 lead and the sides swapped the next four points, coming up to half-time.

Yet Cork really put on the afterburners when they slung over the second half's opening three points with Angela Walsh, Dillon and Rachel Moloney all on target.

Galway replied with Veronica Curtin raising a white flag, but that score arrived 18 minutes into the second half and the underdogs were simply left with too much ground to make up.

So Cork, coached by six times senior All-Ireland winner Fiona O'Driscoll, will make their fifth consecutive All-Ireland final appearance at Croke Park on September 10 - with familiar opponents Tipperary standing in their way.

The last five All-Ireland finals have been contested between the Munster giants with Cork winning in 2002 and last year, and Tipp on top in both 2003 and 2004.

The Premier county girls have been in every final since 1999, the year of their first O'Duffy Cup win.

CORK - A Murray; J O'Callaghan, C Foley, A O'Regan; R Buckley, M O'Connor, A Geary; G O'Connor, O Cotter; B Corkery, A Walsh (0-1), J O'Leary (0-3 (0-3f)); E Dillon (1-1), U O'Donoghue, R Moloney (0-2).

Subs used: S O'Donovan for Corkery (57 mins)

GALWAY - S Gannon; R Glynn, S Cahalan, N Gavin; L Lally, T Maher, A Kelly; B Hanney, A Connolly; C Kelly, A Hillary, V Curtin (0-1); O Kilkenny, L Kavanagh (0-4 (0-1 '45', 0-2f)), B Kerins.

Subs used: AM Hayes (0-1) for O Kilkenny (29 mins), N Kilkenny for Connolly (58).