Dublin booked their ticket to the semi-final stage of the Glen Dimplex All Ireland Senior Championship, following a strong second half performance inspired by Aisling Maher saw them defeat Kilkenny by four points in headquarters.

After some painful defeats to Kilkenny, the Dubs had their day and will now have confidence going into the semi-final stage. Maher scored 0-7 in the win, with five points coming in the second half. Aishling O’Neill injected great pace and tallied two points when coming on in the second stanza, in what was a sparkling performance by Dublin.

Kilkenny again fell at the quarter final hurdle, and despite Aoife Prendergast producing a strong showing at one end and Aoife Norris with some big saves at the other, they were left dejected when the long whistle sounded in headquarters.

Prendergast and Maher exchanged early scores in the opening four minutes, before Sinead Wylde, a late addition to the Dubs starting selection, was quickest to convert when the sliotar broke loose following a long ball into the square, Dublin ahead 1-1 to 0-1 after six minutes.

Another Prendergast effort halved the deficit before Claire Gannon pointed to put Dublin ahead by three. Kilkenny started to create some more chances and Aoife Doyle pointed two wonderful scores either side of a Caoimhe Keher point to level matters by the tenth minute, 1-2 to 0-5.

The Cats were ahead after two minutes and when Prendergast slotted a free after 18 minutes the lead was restored. It could have immediately been ripped away as Dublin were awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute when Michelle Teehan had a heavy collision with Elyse Jamieson-Murphy in the area. Maher stepped up but the effort was straight at Norris.

Steffi Fitzgerald nudged Kilkenny further ahead with a point after 25 minutes but it was Dublin who ended the half in strong fashion. Sinead Nolan, Aisling Gannon and Maher with three points in succession for a 1-5 to 0-7 lead at the interval.

Maher kept up that scoring run with the opening score in the second half, Prendergast settled Kilkenny with another free in the 33rd minute but it was still nip and tuck by quarters end as Doyle and Prendergast helped Kilkenny level the tie 1-7 to 0-10.

Dublin started to show their quality with Aoife McKearney, Maher and O’Neill restoring that three point buffer by the 48th minute. Again Kilkenny fought back with Caoimhe Keher and Katie Power finding the white flag, Maher (two) and another O’Neill effort wrapped up the tie in the closing minutes, a hard working display from Dublin earned a well deserved semi-final spot.