Waterford are through to the Division 1A Camogie League Final for the first time after a hard fought 2-10 to 0-14 win over Kilkenny at Azzurri Walsh Park.

Player of the Match Beth Carton scored 2-1 as Mick Boland's side secured their place in the decider on April 12. Niamh Rockett hit five points for the hosts with Roisin Kirwan, Orla Hickey and Laoise Forrest also on the scoresheet. Kirwan worked her socks off at corner forward. She sent over two points but played a part in another 1-3.

In the Saturday sunshine, a wind assisted free from Aoife Prendergast got the scoreboard moving for Kilkenny. Laoise Forrest, who was marked by her Gailltir club mate Maria Brennan, saw an effort waved wide before Niamh Rockett equalised off the next attack. The 2020 All Star added a free after a foul on Beth Carton. A trademark solo run from Déise skipper Lorraine Bray led to another free which Rockett converted.

On the quarter hour nark, Roisin Kirwan robbed Maria Brennan off a Kilkenny short puckout and laid off to Alannah O'Sullivan. She floated a pass inside to Beth Carton who beat two defenders before rattling the top corner of the net (1-3 to 0-1).

At the other end, a Prendergast sideline caused difficulty in the Waterford defence. A double save from Brianna O'Regan thwarted Emma Shortall and Caoimhe Keher-Murtagh. Prendergast pointed the 45 that followed. A Steffi Fitzgerald point, Kilkenny's first from play, cut the gap to a goal.

On 22 minutes, Kirwan supplied Carton again. A lovely sidestep from the five-time All Star gave her the space to shoot and split the posts (1-4 to 0-3). The sunshine turned to showers as Emma Shortall and Prendergast (free) raised white flags for the black and amber. Lorraine Bray set up a single for Laoise Forrest before Prendergast nailed her fourth dead ball of the half. In injury time, Roisin Kirwan clipped a point that her hard work deserved as the Déise led 1-6 to 0-6 at the break.

Two minutes into the second half, Carton threatened a goal when she soloed past two Kilkenny defenders but she couldn't get her strike away. After that let off, two Prendergast frees reduced the arrears to a single point. On 40 minutes, a Niamh Rockett free landed on top of Carton and her hurley was held by Kilkenny full back Michelle Teehan. Referee Aaron Hogg signalled a penalty and Carton lashed it to the top corner (2-6 to 0-8).

Entering the last quarter, Carton and Kirwan set up a point for Rockett as the hosts stayed four ahead. Kilkenny kept battling and four Prendergast frees made it a one point game yet again. As the noise levels lifted in the stand, Rockett won a free which she converted herself. Carton then assisted a second point for Kirwan. Prendergast responded with a 45 as three added minutes were indicated. Her twelfth placed ball of the afternoon. Clodagh Carroll and Bevin Bowdren won crucial balls in injury time as the home side held out in a nerve wracking finish.