A goal separated Derry from Kildare as the Oak Leaf camogie squad booked a spot against Cork in the Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 2 Final.
The Oak Leafers last claimed the title in 2012 to move into the Senior section but the loss of some key players saw them struggle.
But they have been able to use that experience in Division 2 and will hope to do so again when they face-off against Cork on April 30.
The return of Karen Kielt has proved pivotal to Derry's success and the Kilrea player played a key role as they earned a hard-fought 1-11 to 0-11 win over Kildare at Inniskeen Grattans GAA grounds.
It was the Lilywhites who stared the brighter of the sides and they led 0-3 to 0-1 but Derry got back on level terms and the sides could not be separated as they headed into the break on 0-6 apiece.
Melissa Lyons and Emer McGuigan exchanged points on two occasions early in the second-half before Emer Reilly give Kildare the lead once again.
Derry struck back instantly with some great build up play from Áine McAllister to set up Mary Hegarty for a crucial goal.
Siobhán Hurley hit two points to get Kildare back on level terms but Derry finished strongly and three points from Kielt ensured Derry the win.
Derry's Karen Kielt admitted that Derry were lucky to come away with the win saying:
"The game was tight the whole way through, so we were lucky to get out with a win and into the Final.
"It was tough conditions and we were down Aileen Mccusker who was getting married and Grainne McNicholl through iillness but thankfully the girls stepped up.
"Now we will just get our heads down for the next few weeks at training, and look forward to the final," added Kielt.
Cork will provide the opposition after providing a scoring exhibition in dispensing with Carlow by 0-18 to 1-7 at Carriganore.
It says much for the Rebels that in clocking up such a tally, they had six individual scorers with all bar Finola Neville being multiple scorers.
Rachel O’Shea was top of the tree with six points but Katelyn Hickey (four) and Linda Collins (three) were significant contributors too.
Carlow were reliant on Eleanor Treacy, who registered five points, though minor player Rachel Sawyer did help herself to a brace and Michele Nolan plundered the goal.
Dublin produced a consummate team performance as they accounted for Clare by 1-12 to 0-6 at The Ragg, Caragh Dawson and Laois Quinn sharing six points and Aoife Bulger added 1-1 for the Dubs.
Clare could not really threaten the Dublin defence though, with Nikki Kaiser’s two points their highest tally.
On Saturday, Roscommon got the better of Kerry in a very hard-fought encounter in Gort in which the defensive strategies certainly prevailed over whatever attacking plans were devised. Roscommon held sway marginally at the break by 0-4 to 0-2.
The second half was even more difficult for forwards but it was the Rossies that prevailed, getting the better of a side that had beaten them in the group by eight points the previous month.
Minor star Shauna Fallon made the difference, managing to score three points.
In the context of the game, that was a considerable and significant contribution and ensured that Roscommon have a chance to make amends for last year’s final loss to Armagh and achieve the long-awaited for first League title.
