Waterford in wonderland as Cork fold

Waterford 1-13 Cork 2-8

Outplayed for most of the first half, Waterford put in a storming second period. However, they had a huge let-off when Cork forward Conrad Murphy was left with only the keeper to beat but shot wide from five metres.

This game had everything, including three penalties and two misses, but there was no denying Waterford deserved their victory. They looked the hungrier side, chased and harassed Cork at every opportunity and in Billy Harty, Edmund Rockett, Sean Dempsey, Michael Walsh and Niall Hennessy they had a quintet of players who would hold their own in any company.

Cork will have nightmares about losing this game. After a shaky start they took complete control to lead 2-5 to 0-2 after 20 minutes. However, they paid the ultimate price for failing to sustain the effort and even the introduction of senior hurlers, John Gardner and Setanta Ó hAilpín couldn’t prevent them from going under to a finely tuned Waterford side.

Waterford, aided by the breeze, led through a first minute Billy Harty point and he might have had a goal a few seconds later when Rory McCarthy was dispossessed in his own square. However, Harty’s effort was narrowly wide.

The home side’s early dominance was reflected with their second point, from wing-back Niall Hennessy, before Cork, who hadn’t managed to get out of their own half in the opening minutes, fashioned a marvellous move which saw Brian O’Regan put Murt Kelleher in for a goal.

That score settled Cork and two marvellous points from James Masters had them comfortably in front before Waterford won a dubious penalty which goalkeeper Kevin Murphy saved well from Michael Walsh.

Amazingly, from the clearance, Cork broke and PJ O’Connor won a penalty which Conrad Murphy slotted home to leave the Leesiders led 2-2 to 0-2 at the end of the opening quarter.

Cork’s class was evident at this point with their defence, particularly Noel O’Donovan, Michael Prout and Brian O’Regan, excellent under pressure. The signs looked ominous for Waterford as the visitors stretched their lead to nine points, the best from Michael Prout, who raced 60 metres to score.

With a nine-point lead, Cork must have felt they had this game won and took their foot off the pedal. And Waterford took full advantage. With Edmund Rockett starring at centre-back and Sean Dempsey and Michael Walsh lording it at midfield, the Déise men took complete control and only a great save by goalkeeper Kieran Murphy denied Mark Power a goal coming up to half-time.

Cork led 2-5 to 0-5 at the break but on the change over Waterford continued to dictate matters all over the field. Playing marvellous controlled football, Waterford hit over three points before Liam Ó Lionnáin finished a great move to the net to tie the game.

Waterford were rampant and, with Cork offering little resistance, Billy Harty gave them the lead before Conrad Murphy levelled the scores again with Cork’s first score for 17 minutes.

At the end of the third quarter, the sides were still tied before Cork lost a great chance of a third goal, when Conrad Murphy was grounded going through. But, on this occasion, Waterford keeper David Hickey saved Conrad Murphy’s penalty.

From that let-off, Waterford took control again. Not even the introduction of Gardner and Ó hAilpín could save Cork as the home side finished strongly, with points by Eamon Walsh and Niall Hennessy giving them a two point lead with the game slipping into injury-time.

However, there was one final piece of drama to be played out before the issue was settled. Cork attacked one last time and Setanta Ó hAilpín put Conrad Murphy through. However, the attacker shot wide when it looked easier to score and Waterford were through to their second final at this level in three years.

They now meet Kerry in the final next Wednesday night at the same venue.

Scorers: Waterford; B. Harty 0-6 (0-3 frees), L. Ó Lionnáin 1-0, N. Hennessy, S. Walsh (free) 0-2 each, M. Walsh, R. Costelloe, E. Walsh 0-1 each.

Cork: C. Murphy 1-3 (1-2 frees), M. Kelliher 1-0, J. Masters 0-3 (0-1 free), M. Prout, G. McLoughlin 0-1 each.

WATERFORD: D. Hickey; M. Crotty, J. Hayes, J. O’Reilly; N. Henessy, E. Rockett, J. Hurney; S. Dempsey, M. Walsh; T. Power, M. Power, T. Whelan; L. Ó Lionnáin, S. Walsh, B. Harty. Subs R. Costelloe for T. Power, E. Walsh for M. Power.

CORK: K. Murphy; M. Prout, N. O’Donovan, R. McCarthy; B. O’Regan, E. Burke, P. Nealon; M. Kelleher, K. Murphy; JP O’Connor, C. Murphy, G. McLoughlin; J. Masters, D. Barron, C. Brosnan. Subs. N. O’Leary for Burke, M. Cussen for K. Murphy, J. Gardner for Kelliher, S. Ó hAilipín for Brosnan, P. Deane for Nealon.

Referee: A. Ryan (Limerick).