Wexford 2-07 Cork 1-08

Wexford took their first Gala All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship title since 1975 thanks to a two-point victory over reigning champions Cork at Croke Park this afternoon.

This was not an easily carved out victory for Stellah Sinnott's charges who were made work very hard by the three-in-a-row chasers.

However Wexford never trailed in this game after Jennifer O'Leary had taken the opening point for Cork thanks to a goal after three and a half minutes from the unmarked Una Leacy who struck to the net from 14 metres.

Wexford quickly added to their tally with a Kate Kelly point, as the Shelmalier's player ensured status as the top scorer in the championship with 1-40 to her credit following the game.

Cork were made pay dearly for their seven wides in the opening half as Wexford made more clinical use of possession with Leacy palming home her second goal, midway through the opening half.

O'Leary's opening point along with an Emer Dillon score were the only scores for the Rebels as the game entered the 29th minute, but Orla Cotter ensured the gap was cut to five points by the interval, thanks to her late point.

However, Wexford still held a comfortable 2-02 to 0-03 advantage.

Cork came out strongly for the second half and had obviously received a half-time grilling, with midfielder Gemma O'Connor taking an excellent point after 18 seconds from open play from the 65 metres out.

A 37th-minute goal from Emer Dillon cut the gap to two points but Cork were unable to get on top of Sinnott's charges as impressive scores from Kate Kelly, Ursula Jacob and Katrina Parrock ensured Wexford held a four-point lead with three minutes remaining.

Leacy could have taken a late goal in injury time to complete her hat-trick, but she was injured in the process as Cork regained possession and Briege Corkery scored her only point of the game at the opposite end.

Wexford: M Darcy; N Lambert, C O'Loughlin, A Nolan; A Codd, M Leacy, D Codd; K Kelly (0-03, 1f), C Murphy; B Furlong, RM Breen (0-01), M O'Leary; U Leacy (2-00), M Hearne, U Jacob (0-02).

Subs used: A O'Connor for A Codd (34); K Parrock (0-01) for O'Leary (41); C O'Connor for Nolan (65).

Cork: A Murray; J O'Callaghan, C Foley, A O'Regan; R Buckley, M O'Connor, A Geary; B Corkery (0-01), G O'Connor (0-03); U O'Donoghue, A Walsh (0-01), J O'Leary (0-01, 1f); E Dillon (1-01), O Cotter (0-01), S Burns.

Subs used: E Watson for O'Donoghue (52); S O'Donovan for Walsh (56).

Referee: John Morrissey (Tipperary).