Dublin 2-5 Kilkenny 1-6
Game by game, inch by inch - the Dublin camogie world is making progress and this was another case in point. True no cup was given out but the manner in which Dublin pulled out the stops to win this match was impressive and will have done no harm at all to the self-confidence of the team. The fact that the management made only one substitution and that was a forced one after just 11 minutes tells you that every single player made a telling contribution.
Scores were hard earned in this game and both sides managed that feat on just 7 occasions apiece but tellingly Dublin managed to snatch a goal and a point in the final 7 minutes of play to steal ahead. But even then it could have gone Kilkenny's way.
They managed to put their best move together in the 62nd minute as the Cats so often do and did everything perfectly to deliver the final pass to their best forward - the unmarked Ciara Holden. The full-forward opted for a marquee goal rather than precision and her shot for the roof of the net went on the wrong side of the posts from a Kilkenny perspective.
There was still time but Dublin won the puck out and the brilliant Doireann Mullany managed literally put her body on the line to stop a Kilkenny clearance.
Despite the result, a place in the All-Ireland semi finals is not yet assured. Dublin must play Tipperary who are down a game and will need to beat Dublin to stay in the competition. But that's for another day.
With only 14 scores in 72 minutes of play it is no secret that defences were excellent in this fiercely fought match. Dublin looked good for the points in the first half as aided by the breeze Kilkenny struggled to make a real impression. The home side suffered a set-back in the 11th minute when centre back Eva Marie Elliott turned on her ankle and had to be replaced. Áine Woods came on and within a minute put in a brilliant hook on Kilkenny's Lydia Fitzpatrick who had goal on her mind. Annemarie Courtney moved to No 6 and gave an outstanding display. Backing her were the equally brilliant Niamh Byrne, Elaine O'Leary, Blaithín McQuillan and No 7 Claire Rigney who was simply class.
Lydia Fitzpatrick gave Kilkenny the lead after 7 minutes but from the puck-out from Kate Whyte Dublin built a clever move that led to Aisling Maher pointing. Dublin hit again a minute later when the hard-working Martha O'Donoghue gave Dublin the lead.
Kilkenny had a number of chances in the first half but the finishing was not as clinical as on other days but much of this is due to a characteristic that is becoming more and more a feature of Dublin teams. The number of hooks, blocks, turnovers that players are putting in is rising all the time. Brian Cody would even be impressed! Doireann Mullany was inspirational throughout but especially in the first half ably supported by Eve Kehoe.
Kilkenny secured parity with a point from Alice Talbot and a free from Lydia Fitzpatrick gave the lead as the game entered the last five minutes of normal time. To onlookers it was looking good as with the breeze to come, Dublin's livelier forwards appeared to carry more scoring threat. This impression was boosted when a quick line ball from Doireann Mullany fed to another fine player - Jane Tully whose centre was superbly fielded by Eve Kehoe who parted to Aisling Maher for a handpassed goal. Kilkenny's Aisling Nolan skinned the bar from the puckout but Dublin rallied again and Aisling Maher capped a super first half with a great point to keep Dublin in front 1-3 to 0-4.
But predictability and sport are poor partners and when a lob from Mary Corcoran, the Kilkenny corner forward took a bad bounce 30 seconds after the restart to deceive Kate Whyte, the visitors were back in front. This bit of misfortune did not unsettle the 'keeper who was her usual composed self to the finish and played a great part in the win.
The goal was however a huge tonic for Kilkenny and they upped their game massively. They have some superb players and the likes of Meg Farrell, her cousin Ciara Farrell, superb centre back Mary O'Connell, centre forward Miriam Walsh (Tommy's sister) and full-forward Ciara Holden all showed great leadership.
Dublin were rattled for a spell but despite what Kilkenny threw at them the Dublin defence never wilted. Kilkenny's next score would not come for another 19 minutes. A score was badly needed for Dublin though and it took until the 46th minute to arrive - a pointed free from Aisling Maher.
While Dublin struggled to get past the Kilkenny half-backs, the fact that the Cats could not shake off the home side was crucial. Cliona McCullough, Jane Tully and Laura Morrissey were battling ferociously and even when Ciara Holden popped up with two pointed frees, Dublin held their nerve.
In the 56th minute, Dublin were presented with a chance to cut the gap to a point when Orla Beagan faced up to a 40m free. The relatively bare dry surface wasn't ideal for jab-lifting and her shot dropped short. The ball bobbled around for a number of seconds until it fell in the path of Martha O'Donoghue and although the contact wasn't perfect it was enough to sneak over the line for a goal and the lead.
If ever there was a time to add another score - this was it.
One of the signs of a very good player is the how they deal with situations where the ball isn't running kindly for them. Orla Beagan is one such player and when her team needed her she won a vital ball and without hesitation off her left side split the posts.
But Dublin will know that even with this fantastic finale it could have gone the other way - had Ciara Holden hit the target. A warning for another day but for the moment it is no harm to savour a great win for the Dubs.
1.Kate Whyte Lucan Sarsfields
2.Niamh ByrneLucan Sarsfields
3.Elaine O'Leary Naomh Uinsionn
4.Blaithin McQuillan Na Fianna
5.Claire Rigney Lucan Sarsfields
6.Eva Marie Elliott Naomh Uinsionn
7.Annemarie CourtneyLucan Sarsfields
8.Eve Kehoe Skerries Harps
9.Doireann Mullany Ballyboden St Endas
10.Jane Tully Ballinteer St. Johns
11.Cliona McCullough Na Fianna
12.Orla Beagan (0-1) Lucan Sarsfields
13.Martha O'Donoghue (1-1)Ballyboden St Endas
14.Aisling Maher (1-3)Naomh Uinsionn
15.Laura Morrissey Lucan Sarsfields
16.Áine Woods Naomh Uinsionn
17.Aisling McDonald Raheny
18.Róisín Baker Na Fianna
19.Ailbhe Ryan Lucan Sarsfields
20.Ailise DowlingLucan Sarsfields