Cork 4-10 Dublin 0-3
Strange to be believe but 10 minutes into this game Dublin led by 0-2 to nil and were fully deserving of their lead. Laura Gibney and Jessica Condron were doing well in the half-back line and up front the pace of wing forward Aoife Burke was causing problems for the Cork defence. From one of Aoife Burke's forward bursts, Orlaith Murphy pointed superbly for the second time to open that two points advantage.
Cork were showing signs of the excellent team play that had such a devastating impact in the second half but Dublin still held their own and Jenny Ryan was playing very soundly in goals.
Four unanswered points split evenly between Keelagh Cullinane and Keeva McCarthy put the Munster side in front by the 17th minute before a slick pick up by Michelle Hetherton saw her score a fine point. Dublin were pushing hard to find a way through a difficult Cork defence and a few half goal chances had the been converted could have proved a tonic.
As it was Dublin would not score again in the game and by half time Cork led 0-5 to 0-3.
In ideal conditions at Urlingford, Dublin had every reason to feel optimistic in the second half. But with Cork striking first with two points from Keelagh Cullinane and Chloe Sigerson, the task was gradually growing.
The game was effectively killed in a five minutes spell from the 40th to 45th minutes when Keeva McCarthy goaled twice.
To their credit Dublin competed to the finish especially Grace Walsh, Clodagh Ennis and Aoife Wade but the scoring flow had dried up and as so often when the game is going for you confidence rises and Cork finished impressive winners.
Jenny Ryan, Clodagh Ennis, Niamh McCarthy, Emma Quinn, Laura Gibney, Jessica Condron, Rebecca Barrett, Laura Gregg, Grace Walsh, Aoife Burke, Orlaith Murphy (0-2), Aoife Wade, Sophie McCarthy, Gemma Berry, Michelle Hetherton (0-1).
Subs: Ailbhe Fusco, Charlotte Rooney, Ella Carr, Caoimhe Ní Mhaolagáin, Sophia Martin