Cork must come up with new battle plan for final

Sport can be very cruel, writes Donal O’Grady. If you were to pick out Waterford’s top player yesterday, the pacy, all-action, highly industrious Tommy Ryan, scorer of 1-3, would be top of your list.

However, Ryan lost possession in the play that finally turned the game in Cork’s favour with two minutes left on the clock. He went for a big winning point from well out the field. By throwing the ball up high he made it easier for Bill Cooper to make a great blockdown and Patrick Horgan dispatched the breaking ball between the posts with aplomb for the lead.

It was the game-defining moment. It pushed Cork ahead. A monster score from corner-back Colm Spillane and the final nail from Seamie Harnedy sealed the deal for Cork who need to work on lots of areas.