Waterford’s All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship campaign came to a heartbreaking end after extra time as Kilkenny eventually prevailed in a thrilling quarter-final at Croke Park this afternoon.

After the sides could not be separated at the end of normal time, it was Kilkenny who found the crucial scores in extra time to book their place in the All-Ireland semi-finals following a dramatic encounter.

Waterford had led 0-09 to 0-07 at half-time after an impressive opening half, with Beth Carton overcoming an earlier missed penalty to score four first-half points. Further scores from captain Lorraine Bray, Mairéad O’Brien, Annie Fitzgerald, Orla Hickey and Eimear O’Neill helped the Déise take a two-point advantage into the interval.

The second half developed into a tense and cagey affair, with scores at a premium as both teams battled for a place in the last four. Waterford stayed in touch throughout and looked to have earned extra time when Carton converted a free in the 62nd minute to level the game.

Extra time, however, belonged to Kilkenny.

A free from Aoife Prendergast with 63 minutes on the clock edged the Cats back in front before Carton responded from a placed ball for Waterford. A point from Rachel Walsh followed before substitute Katie Nolan struck for a crucial goal in the first half of extra time to swing momentum firmly in Kilkenny’s favour.

Another Prendergast free left the Cats leading 1-17 to 0-18 at the break in extra time, with the Kilkenny forward proving hugely influential throughout the contest. She would finish with an outstanding tally of eight points, six of them coming from frees.

Carton continued to lead the Waterford challenge and reduced the deficit with another free in the 71st minute, but Prendergast replied almost immediately with another score to restore Kilkenny’s advantage at 1-18 to 0-19.

The decisive moment arrived with four minutes remaining when substitute Nolan found the net for the second time to give Kilkenny breathing space at 2-18 to 0-19 and leave Waterford with a mountain to climb.

The Déise refused to give in and were handed late hope when Maggie Gostl finished to the net after a long delivery into the danger area made its way through to her. However, Kilkenny had the final word when Laura Murphy, who finished with four points from play, split the posts to seal victory for the Cats.

While the result ends Waterford’s championship journey for another year, the Déise can take enormous pride from a spirited display that pushed one of the favourites all the way in an unforgettable contest at Croke Park.

Full-time: Kilkenny 2-19 Waterford 1-19

Sport on WLR is brought to you by Auto Boland Ford.

For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.