Cork 4-5 Down 2-4: Those present will hardly have seen a more enthralling first half of camogie this year. Down hassled and harried. Full forward Cathy Mulholland answered Muireann Iago's fourth-minute goal. Mairín McAleenan pierced the Rebels' defence a second time. Cork knuckled down. Eimear O'Farrell and Elizabeth Bugler found the net and Cork took a 3-3 to 2-4 half-time lead.

All to play for.

However, Down failed to score in the next 30 minutes. Even though Cork failed to score a point from play in the entire game, a second Bugler goal and two more Valerie O'Keeffe points from dead ball helped the southern side pull away.

At the other end, fine clearances from centre back Amanda O'Regan thwarted Down's best efforts. Afterwards O'Keeffe admitted there was concern in the camp at half-time when Down looked dangerous. "I suppose midway through the first half it was a bit worrying because they got two very easy goals.

"Down had a few chances and we managed to clear the ball off our lines."

CORK: E Clifford; G Kearney, E O'Riordan, N Goulding; J Browne, A O'Regan, M Holland; V O'Sullivan, V O'Keeffe (capt, 0-5, three 45s, two frees); M O'Connell, S O'Donovan, E Bugler (2-0); E O'Farrell (1-0), M Deasy, M Iago (1-0). Subs: M Hegarty for Goulding (26 mins); J Duffy for Bugler (52 mins); G Collins for O'Donovan (64 mins).

DOWN: T McGowan; C McGovern, M Maginn, A Morgan; D Kelland, P Green, K Murray; J Braniff (capt), L McCrickard; F Duff, M McAleenan (1-1), C McGourty (0-2, one free), F Carr, C Mulholland (1-0), K Gribben (0-1). Subs: O Maginn for Morgan (30 mins); B Gallagher for Duff (49 mins); M McPolin for Gribben (60 mins); A Fearon for Mulholland (63 mins)

Referee: A Lawlor (Westmeath).