Cork 1-12 Limerick 0-10
Cork were made work very hard by a Limerick side continuing to make giant strides and it was only in the last 10 minutes that the All-Ireland champions’ experience showed as they pulled away for a 1-12 to 0-10 victory.
Cork went ahead early on with a goal from Amy O’Connor and she added a quick point before the Limerick defence, in which Sarah Carey excelled, managed to put the shackles on her.
It was to prove an essential opening though as Limerick fought back well with the magnificent Niamh Mulcahy scoring points from frees and play. Noreen Barry forced Cork goalkeeper, Amy Lee into a fabulous save but with the wind at their backs in the second half, the Shannonsiders would have been pleased to be trailing by just one point at the change of ends, 1-5 to 0-7.
It was nip and tuck in the second peiord, with Orla Cotter (who finished with six points) and Mulcahy (0-7) exchanging scores. Lee made another good stop to keep her goal intact but Cork finished strongly.
Aisling Thompson and Cotter showed well when it really counted, while Briege Corkery had a massive impact off the bench in that closing period.
Galway and Cork will play in the Division 1 final of the Irish Daily Star Camogie League after the battling to overcome Kilkenny and Limerick in their respective semi-finals.