Despite a dozen Beth Carton points, Waterford went down to Cork by 1-16 to 0-14 in the Munster Senior Camogie Final at a sun drenched Semple Stadium.
Amy O'Connor netted the decisive goal on 21 minutes for the ladies in red while Player of the Match Laura Hayes also impressed at wing back. The Cork bench produced four points as Cliona Healy (0-2), Orlaith Mullins (0-1) and Clodagh Finn (0-1) all made late contributions.
The outstanding Carton shot twelve points for Waterford (nine frees and three from play). Niamh Rockett rifled over two from play. The Déise, appearing in their first provincial decider since 1968, got within two points on three occasions in the second half but no closer.
From the throw in, Mairead O'Brien drove at the Cork defence but saw her shot saved by Amy Lee. Aaron Hogg brought it back for a free and Beth Carton converted. The Déise enjoyed a 4-1 lead after eleven minutes. Carton supplied a point for Niamh Rockett before the reigning Player of the Year struck one off her left. Bevin Bowdren then won a free which Carton dispatched.
Cork got to grips with the Waterford sweeper and struck 1-5 without reply in the space of nine minutes. Saoirse McCarthy, Laura Hayes, Sorcha McCartan, Fiona Keating and Amy O'Connor all split the posts for the Rebelettes. On 21 minutes, Hayes soloed in front of the Old Stand and fed O'Connor who batted past Brianna O'Regan (1-6 to 0-4).
Waterford went twelve minutes without a score. Carton kept them in touch with seven first half efforts (five frees and two from play). She shrugged off four defenders before shooting one off her left into the Town End. O'Connor finished the opening period with 1-3 as Cork led by four at the interval (1-9 to 0-8).
Two more O'Connor singles increased the gap to six on the restart. Carton responded with three in a row. Her tenth point of the day was a beauty from the Old Stand sideline. Orla Hickey was blocked down after O'Brien put her through on goal. Rockett then saw her shot waved wide. Play continued and Sorcha McCartan missed at the other end. Referee Aaron Hogg stopped play and Hawkeye awarded a point for Rockett (1-11 to 0-12). A bizarre incident.
Cork's bench came good in the last quarter as Cliona Healy, Orlaith Mullins and Clodagh Finn got four points between them. A 60th provincial crown for the ladies in red.
Jerry Wallace's Déise now turn their attention to the first round of the All Ireland series away to Tipperary next Saturday.
