Thompson experience crucial as Cork survive Déise scare

Cork staged a phenomenal second-half turnaround to defeat Waterford and reach the All-Ireland Camogie final at Croke Park.

The afternoon started with good news for the Rebels, when it emerged that they're lynchpin, Aisling Thompson, had had an earlier red card rescinded, freeing her up to play in this semi-final clash.

Thompson, who had been red carded after the final whistle against Tipperary three weeks ago, started on the bench against the Déise, but was quickly thrust into the action when her side went scoreless for over 20 minutes at the start of the game.

Waterford led by 0-05 to 0-00 at one stage and then by 0-07 to 0-03 at the break. Beth Carton was running riot at centreforward and it looked, to all concerned, like the experienced Leesiders were going to overthrown by their youthful Munster rivals.

But Cork exerted their influence after the break and, taking their tone from Thompson, pointed their way back into the game. Crucial scores from Katriona Mackey, Sorcha McCartan, Roisin Keating and the tidy freetaking of the busy Amy O'Connor saw them outlast a game Waterford challenge.

More to follow...