Cork’s last line paves way to victory

Cork 1-18 Waterford 1-13

But the key to snuffing out the persistent challenge from gallant Waterford was the outstanding play of the Cork full-back line. In different circumstances, taking account of the major influence of Seamus Prendergast for Waterford at centre-forward, the result might very well have gone the other way.

Just like in the Tipperary game, when they were pushed harder than might have been anticipated because of their inconsistency, the All-Ireland champions were again seriously tested, this time because of a failure to perform up to standard. Yet, on a day when Waterford did not get enough big-game displays from their key players - Paul Flynn being clearly restricted by his knee injury - it was testament to the character and resourcefulness of John Allen’s team that they passed the test.

And, for that they could be grateful for the outstanding play of Pat Mulcahy, Diarmuid O’Sullivan and Brian Murphy, particularly over the course of the last quarter when the pressure was at its greatest.

Played with a strong wind favouring Waterford (after winning the toss), the opening minutes were noteworthy for the fact that debutant goalkeeper Clinton Hennessy confidently gathered the first high ball that came his way and that Fergal Hartley too, got off to a better start than he had in the Munster semi-final meeting of the counties. Indeed Hennessy was to distinguish himself with confident and totally dependable play.

Waterford were slow to capitalise on their wind advantage, which helped them to win more ball in attack than Cork were managing at the other end. It was reflected in the fact that after ten minutes play Cork led 0-3 to 0-1.

However, in another five minutes Waterford were on level terms, following two good strikes from a rampant Tony Browne and midfielder Dave Bennett. And, when in the 17th minute Shanahan had the ball in the net after a Flynn 21 yards free had been stopped by Donal Óg Cusack, they gained a lead which they were to hold until just after the resumption.

The timing of the goal coincided with Ken McGrath thundering into the game and signalling a dominance at centre-back which he was to sustain all through. Also significant was the stability in the defence which saw Eoin Murphy do a good job of limiting Joe Deane and Hartley more or less hold his own with Corcoran.

The net effect was that Cork found it difficult to create scoring opportunities, all the more so since Tom Kenny took time to settle alongside Jerry O’Connor.

The big plus for Cork was that they were rock-solid at the heart of their defence and that, unlike their last meeting, Sean Óg Ó hAilpin was to come out on top in the battle of the captains. Eoin Kelly was often on the ball for Waterford, but his influence was negligible by comparison with his display in the last meeting, particularly since he failed to score.

Conversely, while Ronan Curran had a very good spell midway through the half, he was never able to dominate against Seamus Prendergast, who was to exert a particularly strong influence in the second half.

While Waterford were to finish the half a point in front (1-7 to 0-9), they were lucky that Hartley’s foul on Kieran Murphy in the 34th minute was ruled to have occurred just outside the square.

To Waterford’s credit, they pushed on through a Paul Flynn free and a great score from Prendergast only to be pegged back by frees from John Gardiner and Deane.

They continued to take the game to Cork after Mullane gained his sole score of the match and Flynn pointed a free. Scores were level again in the 56th minute - significantly from a tremendous clearance from Ó hAilpin - and while Prendergast’s excellence saw him negate a lead point from Gardiner, Waterford were beginning to run out of attacking ideas.

Flynn’s lack of mobility further limited his ability to compete with Diarmuid O’Sullivan and that represented a serious blow to Waterford’s chances of seizing the initiative at a stage when none of the other established players could find the range.

They did remain competitive, however, through the determined play of their half-backs and Bennett at midfield.

The turning point came when Deane stopped a ball from going wide on the right and flicked it to Corcoran, who was able to get himself free to score with a beautifully worked drop-shot to the far corner.

That goal came ten minutes before the final whistle sounded, but there was never a serious subsequent threat to Cork’s lead, because they picked off some good scores while Waterford’s attack simply ran out of steam. It was that kind of a finish.

Barry Kelly did a good job, building on the positive response from his Munster final display.

Scorers: Cork: J. Deane 0-5 (0-4 frees); B. Corcoran 1-1; B. O’Connor 0-4 (0-2 frees, 0-1 ‘65); J. Gardiner 0-3 frees; T. Kenny, S. Og O hAilpin, K. Murphy (Sarsfields), J. O’Connor and N. Ronan 0-1 each.

Waterford: S. Prendergast 0-4; P. Flynn 0-4 frees; D. Shanahan 1-0; K. McGrath (free), D. Bennett, T. Browne, M. Walsh and J. Mullane 0-1 each.

CORK: D. Óg Cusack; P. Mulcahy, D. O’Sullivan, B. Murphy; J. Gardiner, R. Curran, S. Óg Ó hAilpin; T. Kenny, J. O’Connor; K. Murphy (Sarsfields), N. McCarthy, T. McCarthy; B. O’Connor, B. Corcoran, J. Deane.

Subs: N. Ronan for T. McCarthy (53rd minute); K. Murphy (Erins Own) for N. McCarthy (55th); C. O’Connor for Curran (73rd).

WATERFORD: C. Hennessy; E. Murphy, F. Hartley, T. Feeney; T. Browne, K. McGrath, J. Murray; D. Bennett, M. Walsh; E. Kelly (capt.), S. Prendergast, D. Shanahan; J. Mullane, P. Flynn, J. Kennedy.

Subs: P. O’Brien for Kennedy (53rd); P. Foley for Flynn (61st).

Referee: B. Kelly (Westmeath).