Winners of the All-Ireland intermediate championship in 1998, Donna Greeran‘s Down were heavily defeated in the semi-final against Tipperary at Parnell Park.
Sinéad Millea sent a fifty-five metre free through three Cork defenders into the net to give Kilkenny a two-point victory.
A point from Deirdre Hughes from a tight angle just in front of the New Cusack Stand and another from Noelle Kennedy tied up the scores at 1-7 to 0-10.
Two minutes from time, a deflected free from Catherina Hennessy produced the save of the day from Kilkenny goalkeeper, Miriam Holland, at the expense of a '45.
Millea had a difficult, last chance of forcing a replay, but her free from the half-way line dropped short and the glory went to Tipperary.