Donal O'Grady's tactics board: Savage work-rate should be a given but Cork fell short

Although the scoring return from play of Cork’s forwards looks OK, they never really forced their opponents into mistakes through tackles or turnovers

Jack Prendergast of Waterford scores a point despite the efforts of Cork’s Tim O’Mahony during the Munster Senior Championship semi-final at Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Apart from the opening five minutes or so, Waterford were the better team in Thurles on Saturday. However, wind-assisted, they only led by three points at halfway.

I expected The Rebels to force the pace on the restart, but it was Waterford who took the game to Cork. Winning the throw-in, Calum Lyons, their right-half-back, pointed immediately. They slotted over another three points in that first five minutes. The goal in the 38th minute, by the aforementioned Lyons, was the most crucial score and main turning point of this game.