Waterford win the battle of Semple Stadium

All-Ireland SHC Munster final replay

Cork 1-13 Waterford 1-16

Waterford are Munster hurling champions for the first time in three years after a pulsating extra-time victory over Cork at Thurles tonight.

A goal from sub Dan Shanahan proved crucial in the additional 20 minutes for the Déise, who battled hard to fight back after Ben O’Connor’s goal put Cork in the lead for the first time with time running out.

In the 70 minutes of regulation time, the momentum swung one way and then the other. Waterford led by 0-8 to 0-4 after a poor first half but Cork came storming back into the game at the start of the second period and took the lead before the Déise got the upper hand again.

Waterford were well on top from the off, two Eoin Kelly points putting them ahead inside two minutes and though Cathal Naughton pulled one back, Kelly and John Mullane gave Waterford a cushion of 0-4 to 0-1.

Cork were wasting scoring opportunities as their attack was short-wiring, with the balls into the forwards not generating enough chances. Despite this, Cork did manage to fashion two goalscoring chances, but Aisake Ó hAilpín shot into the side-netting and Patrick Horgan saw his effort cleared off the line by Noel Connors.

Even though Waterford were well on top – their first wide would not come until the game’s 44th minute – Cork were still in touch for much of the half, Ben O’Connor’s 33rd-minute free bringing the deficit back to 0-6 to 0-4, but a Kelly free and a converted sideline from Richie Foley leaving Waterford four ahead at the break.

With the floodlights on for the second half, a first for the Munster final, Cork upped their game considerably and three points, two of them from half-time sub Paudie O’Sullivan and one by Michael Cussen, had just a point in it.

Eoin Kelly’s free kept Waterford ahead but that was cancelled out by O’Connor and then Cork hit the front for the first time, O’Connor finding the net with a long-range free laden with spin in the 46th minute.

Waterford’s response was impressive though, four unanswered points leaving them 0-13 to 1-8 in front with 15 minutes left. Cathal Naughton and O’Connor levelled things again before yet another Kelly free, but then Cork were handed a great chance when Michael Cussen was fouled in the large rectangle by Foley for a penalty.

Unfortunately for Cork, John Gardiner’s shot was tipped over, and though Waterford had chances to win it, all were wide and the extra 20 minutes were required.

The first half of extra time was nip and tuck, Tony Browne’s free keeping Waterford a point in front at the turn, but once Shanahan found the net the Déise had a cushion which they did not lose.

CORK: D Óg Cusack; S Murphy, E Cadogan, B Murphy; J Gardiner (0-2, 0-1 penalty, 0-1 65), R Curran, S O’Neill; T Kenny, C Naughton (0-2); B O’Connor (1-5f), M Cussen (0-1), N McCarthy; K Murphy, A Ó hAilpín, P Horgan.

Subs: R Ryan for O’Neill (35), P O’Sullivan (0-2) for Horgan (half-time), L O’Farrell for K Murphy (66), L McLoughlin (0-1) for Curran (end of normal time, injured),

WATERFORD: C Hennessy; E Murphy, L Lawlor, N Connors; T Browne (0-1f), M Walsh, D Prendergast; S O’Sullivan, R Foley (0-1 sideline); S Prendergast, K Moran (0-1), E Kelly (0-8, 0-6f); S Molumphy, J Mullane (0-3), S Walsh (0-1).

Subs: B O’Halloran (0-1) for S Prendergast (49), M Shanahan for S Walsh (61), J Nagle for Lawlor (68), D Shanahan (1-0) for Mullane (end of normal time, injured), E McGrath for Molumphy (80).

Referee: B Gavin (Offaly).