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Cork 0-15 Kilkenny 0-7, Croke Park

Cork manager Denise Cronin leapt for joy as the Rebelettes retained the Gala All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship title, following a hard-earned 0-15 to 0-7 win before 25,924 spectators at Croke Park.

Free-taker Rachel Moloney was in superb form with seven points - six from placed-balls - while Cork goalkeeper Aoife Murray kept her side on top in the closing stages with some vital saves.

Although Cork were convincing winners at the finish, there was nothing to separate the sides in the opening stages with the counties level on three occasions by the 18th minute.

Moloney slotted over the first of her seven points but defences were firmly on top in the first quarter-hour, with Kilkenny's rearguard performing strongly despite Cork's undoubted attacking prowess.

Aoife Neary was also strongly pushing for scores, with the opening goal chance falling to the James Stephens corner-forward in the 13th minute. Cork custodian Murray did well to pull off a superb save.

Kilkenny continued to go in search of scores as points from Ann Dalton and Neary pushed the Cats 0-3 to 0-2 clear by the 16th minute.

But Cork seized control by landing six of the next eight points to ensure a 0-8 to 0-5 interval lead.

Moloney led the charge with three points before the break, while Una O'Donoghue and Emer O'Farrell were also on target.

Kilkenny went in search of goals in the second half. Full-forward Denise Gaule was gifted an excellent opportunity within 30 seconds of the restart.

Yet Gaule's effort blazed wide of the target and Cork kept the momentum going with points from Moloney, Eimear O'Sullivan and O'Connor, building a 0-11 to 0-5 lead for themselves.

Kilkenny kept plugging away. Neary led their comeback attempt and although her side were gifted plenty of goal-scoring chances in the second half, they could not chalk down the three-pointer which would put them back into contention.

Cork's experience, skill and battling qualities shone throne and Moloney's sixth point gave them some added cushion.

Kilkenny maintained a great work rate throughout but they could not match the hunger of a determined Cork outfit who closed out this victory with points from Moloney, substitute Katriona Mackey and Gemma O'Connor.

After the game, delighted Cork skipper Amanda O'Regan accepted the O'Duffy Cup from Uachtaran Cumann Camogaiochta na nGael, Joan O'Flynn.

CORK: A Murray; J O’Callaghan, C Foley, Rena Buckley; J Duffy, M O’Connor, S Hayes; B Corkery, O Cotter; E O’Sullivan (0-2), G O’Connor (0-3), U O’Donoghue (0-1); S Burns, E O’Farrell (0-1), R Moloney (0-7, 0-6f).

Subs used: K Mackey (0-1) for O’Farrell (37 mins), E Dillon for O’Donoghue (47), A O’Regan for Moloney (57), L O’Connell for O’Callaghan (59).

KILKENNY: C Ryan; L Fennelly, C Doherty, J Frisby; L Lyng, A Butler, E Aylward; C Dormer (0-1), A Dalton (0-1); T Muldowney, K Power, E Keane; M Quilty (0-1), D Gaule, A Neary (0-5, 0-4f, 0-1 '45').

Subs used: A Dunphy for Muldowney (17 mins), D Delaney for Lyng (37), M O’Connor for Quilty (50), K Fennelly for Dormer (57).

Referee: Una Kearney (Armagh)