Asha McHardy buoys Dicksboro as they book first final spot

Dicksboro (Kilkenny) 2-13 Loughgiel Shamrocks (Antrim) 1-10

Kilkenny's Dicksboro got the better of last year’s runners-up Loughgiel Shamrocks from Antrim on a 2-13 to 1-10 scoreline to secure their first appearance in the season-ender.

The game will take place at Croke Park on 17 December as part of a double-header with the intermediate final, which will be contested by the rollercoaster-riding Meath champions Na Fianna and the winners of tomorrow’s clash between Clanmaurice (Kerry) and Shamrocks (Galway).

The 'Boro were the first to book their spot in the senior blue riband at Donaghmore Ashbourne thanks in large part to two second-half goals from emerging county attacker Asha McHardy.

Amy Clifford got them off the mark from the throw-in and further scores from Aoife Prendergast ('45) and Rachel Dowling had them two ahead after just three minutes.

They were rocked on their heels by a fifth-minute goal from Caitrin Dobbin however, and though Prendergast levelled from a free, it was the Antrim champions that had the wind in their sails. Points from Róisín McCormick, either side of a neat score from Dobbin, opened up a three-point gap.

Dowling and Prendergast did split the posts for Dicksboro but the Shamrocks continued to threaten and points from McCormick, Dobbin - an excellent effort on the run - and Annie Lynn gave them a 1-08 to 0-06 lead at half-time.

They only scored two points in the second half, however. In contrast, Donal Carroll and his players made good use of the break and were the better team after the resumption, buoyed by another fast start, this time with a 32nd-minute goal from McHardy. They were soon level, as McHardy and Prendergast split the posts.

It was fiercely fought thereafter, with points from Jenny