Kilkenny 3-7
Cork 2-5
Kilkenny under-16s, under the management of Liam Dunne and Stephen Dormer, made history by becoming the first team at under-age level to complete four All-Irelands in succession.
Kilkenny displayed heart and character in abundance as they overcame a five point deficit which saw them trailing early in the second-half to record a five point victory.
However, the black and amber kittens were made of sterner stuff and they never panicked afterwards.
Their defence was resilient as they restricted Cork to only a solitary point over the closing half-hour.
Jane Cullen, the excellent Ruth Jones and the equally magnificent Grace Walsh were top class while Margaret Simpson, the skilful Laura Fennelly and Davina Tobin worked diligently throughout.
Aisling Dunphy was immense, inspiring her colleagues, and she was voted player of the match afterwards while Niamh Mulhall, the industrious Niamh Byrne and the free-taking of Claire Phelan also played a significant part in Kilkenny’s victory.
Team captain Michelle Farrell showed her class scoring 1-1, while 13-year-old Ciara Holden (under-14 next year ) was Kilkenny’s most constant danger in attack.
Kilkenny trailed 1-4 to 1-2 at half-time in a low scoring first-half.
Michelle Farrell opened the scoring with a point on 42 seconds, before points from Miraha Reidy and Katrina Mackey gave Cork a 0-2 to 0-1 lead after 15 minutes.
Cork extended the lead when a long range shot out on the wing by Katie Harrington saw the unlucky Laura Walker flick the sliothar into an empty net. 1-2 to 0-1 after 17 minutes.
However, Kilkenny replied three minutes later when Ciara Holden’s shot wasn’t dealt with by Cork goalkeeper Tessa Hawkes, and Michelle Maher took advantage to squeeze the sliothar over the goal-line 1-2 to 1-1.
Claire Phelan pointed the equalising free in the 24th minute, before the Mackey sisters, wing-backs Pamela and Katriona, raced up field to strike over points as Cork led 1-4 to 1-2 at the interval.
Cork extended the lead in the early stages following the restart, when Joanne Casey set-up Katie Buckley and her blasted shot unmarked gave Laura Walker no chance. 2-4 to 1-2
However, Kilkenny dominated afterwards as their defence subdued the threat of the Cork attack, while from midfield onwards, they constantly troubled the Cork defence.
Claire Phelan added a free, before Ciara Holden produce a lovely side-step to blast an unstoppable shot for a cracking goal. 2-4 to 2-3.
Claire Phelan and Ciara Holden added points to regain Kilkenny’s lead as the contest entered the final quarter, before Michelle Farrell took advantage of a slack Cork defending to blast home from close range. 3-6 to 2-4.
Phelan and Aileen O’Donovan exchanged points in the closing 10 minutes but Kilkenny held out to record 4-in-a-row.
Player of the match: Aisling Dunphy (Kilkenny ).
Scorers: Kilkenny - Claire Phelan 0-5 (0-4 frees ), Ciara Holden and Michelle Farrell 1-1, Michelle Maher 1-0.
Cork - Katie Buckley and Kate Harrington 1-0 each, Katrina Mackey 0-2, Miraha Reidy, Pamela Mackey and Aileen O’Donovan 0-1 each.
Teams: Kilkenny - Laura Walker (Windgap ), Jane Cullen (Rower ), Ruth Jones (Glenmore ), Grace Walsh (Tullaroan ), Margaret Simpson (Young Irelands, Gowran ), Laura Fennelly (Young Irelands, Gowran ), Davina Tobin (Emeralds ), Eimear Mulhall (Lisdowney ), Aisling Dunphy (St Brigids, Ballycallan ), Niamh Byrne (Clara ), Claire Phelan (Lisdowney ), Michelle Maher (St Martins ), Emma Comerford (Young Irelands, Gowran ), Ciara Holden (Mullinavat ), Michelle Farrell (Thomastown ) (captain ).
Substitutes: Maeve Mansfield (St Martins ), Noelle Maher (St Lachtains ), Yvonne McGrath (St Lachtains ), Laura Wall (Mooncoin ).
Cork: Tessa Hawkes, Sarah Harrington, Alison Coughlan, Katie McCarthy, Pamela Mackey (captain ) Rosie O’Mahony, Katrina Mackey, Emma Kingston, Miraha Reidy, Joanne Casey, Aileen O’Donovan, Kate Harrington, Finola Neville, Katie Buckley, Sinead O’Halloran.
Substitute: Fiona Cotter.
Referee: Eadhmonn MacSuibhne (Dublin ).
