Cork and Kilkenny through to camogie decider

Kilkenny manager Ann Downey jumped for joy as her side sent last year's beaten All-Ireland finalists Galway out of the 2009 Gala All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship this afternoon.

A 64th minute goal from substitute Marie O'Connor steered Kilkenny to a 1-13 to 1-11 win, in a game which saw Galway just score one point in the closing 24 minutes.

Galway drew first blood and led by 0-6 to 0-2 after 14 minutes, with Therese Maher hitting three early points.

The westerners continued to show good form on the restart, with Orla Kilkenny netting their only goal.

However, Kilkenny overcame a five-point deficit with Aoife Neary and goalscorer O'Connor instrumental in setting up the two-point win.

In the second semi-final at Nowlan Park this afternoon, Cork qualified for their eighth All-Ireland final in succession thanks to a 2-13 to 1-10 win over Wexford.

Midfielder Breige Corkery, who was in outstanding form, and Eimear O'Farrell claimed the all-important three-pointers as Cork turned on the style in the second half.

Wexford played against a stiff wind in the opening 30 minutes, but this failed to deter them as they led by 1-5 to 0-6 at the interval. Ursula Jacob netted their goal.

Jacob's 19th-minute effort came off the back of some excellent teamwork, with Catriona Parrock and Rosemary Breen both involved in the build-up.

Although Parrock's initial shot was saved by Cork goalkeeper Aoife Murray, Jacob was on hand to slot the rebound to the net.

However, the Rebels bounced back brilliantly on the restart, with Rachel Moloney accurate from frees, while Sile Burns, Una O'Donoghue and Gemma O'Connor also added vital scores for the defending champions.

Scorers - Kilkenny: A Neary 0-5 (0-5f), M O'Connor 1-1, D Gaule 0-3, K Power 0-2, A Dalton, M Quilty 0-1 each

Galway: A Connolly (0-3f), T Maher 0-3 each, O Kilkenny 1-0, B Hanney, V Curtin 0-2 each, J Gill 0-1

Scorers - Cork: R Maloney 0-8 (0-5f, 0-1 '45'), B Corkery 1-1, E O'Farrell 1-0, O Cotter, S Burns, U O'Donoghue, G O'Connor 0-1 each

Wexford: U Jacob 1-2, K Kelly 0-4 (0-2 '45', 0-1f), C Parrock 0-2, C Murphy, R Breen 0-1 each