Cork struggle to take control against dogged Decies

Cork 2-16 Waterford 0-11

Prior to conceding two goals, Waterford were more than a match for the Leesiders. But once Cork hit the net, the home side's challenge collapsed.

Clare coach Mike McNamara, who was among the spectators, will have no fear of Cork when the sides meet in Limerick in next month's semi-final.

Cork owed much to their defence, particularly in the first half when Waterford were at their best. Full-back Darragh McSweeney was superb, while outside him, Kevin Hartnett and Shane O'Neill also impressed. Cork struggled to make any impression at midfield, where Waterford's Aidan Kearney was the best of the four. Up front, Cork struggled for scores against a tenacious Waterford defence in which Liam Lawlor and John Kindergan were the pick of the bunch. Only Muiris O'Sullivan and Stephen O'Sullivan posed any real threat.

Two evenly-matched sides were level twice in the opening seven minutes sharing four points and they matched each other point-for-point until the 15th minute when Diarmuid Dorris's effort edged Cork 0-4 to 0-3 in front.

Dorris was denied by a superb save by Waterford keeper Darren Ryan, who took the full force of the Cork forward's shot on the chest, and at half-time, the Leesiders were fortunate to be 0-6 to 0-4 in front.

Significantly, Waterford hit eight wides in that opening half and they were to prove extremely costly.

There was little improvement in the standard of play on the changeover, but Waterford, with Stephen Molumphy now out at right-half forward in a swap with substitute Mark Gorman, had the sliotar in the Cork net in the 33rd minute. However, the effort was ruled out and Waterford were awarded a free which Kenny Stafford pointed.

Gorman, who had a fine game when introduced, gave Waterford the lead for the first time.

But in the space of the next three minutes, Cork crushed the Waterford challenge, scoring 1-4 without reply.

The introduction of Ronan Conway added more pace to the Cork attack and with Brendan Barry benefiting from a switch outfield, the Leesiders struck for their first goal when Stephen O'Sullivan first-timed Barry's cross to the net.

Cork never looked back from after that, and as Waterford began to wilt, the scores came freely for the visitors, with their second goal scored by Muiris O'Sullivan in the 50th minute after a great run by Conway.

In the end it was a flattering 11-point victory for Cork, and they won't need reminding that a massive improvement is needed to make any progress in this year's championship.

Scorers: Cork: M. O'Sullivan 1-6 (0-4 frees); S. O'Sullivan 1-2 (0-1 free); M. Naughton 0-3; D. Dorris, R. Conway, J. Bowles, B. Barry, S. O'Neill (free) 0-1 each.

Waterford: M. Gorman 0-3 (0-1 free, 0-1 65); S. Molumphy, G. O'Connor 0-2 each; M. Fives, A. Kearney, K. Stafford (free), M. Whelan 0-1 each.

CORK: A. Nash; P. Fitzgerald, D. McSweeney, E. O'Sullivan; S. O'Neill, K. Hartnett, S. Cronin; M. Naughton, PJ Copps; B. Barry, S. O'Sullivan, D. Cronin; M. O'Sullivan, J. Bowles, D. Dorris.

Subs: R. Conway for Cronin; M. Cussen for Dorris; D. Cunningham for S. Cronin.

WATERFORD: D. Ryan; J. O'Farrell, E. Walsh, T. Power; J. Kindergan, L. Lawlor, W. Hutchinson; A. Kearney, K. Stafford; J. Nagle, M. Fives, G. O'Connor; M. Whelan, S. Molumphy, J. Heneghan.

Sub: M. Gorman for Heneghan.

Referee: D. Richardson (Limerick)

Limerick 4-19 Kerry 2-5

AS expected, Limerick easily had the measure of Kerry in the Munster U21 Hurling Championship at the Gaelic Grounds last evening. Limerick advance to meet Tipperary in the semi-final on a 4-19 to 2-5 scoreline. Playing on their own patch, Limerick struck for early goals from Andrew O'Shaughnessy and Eoin Ryan. They dominated all the first half to lead 4-11 to 0-3 at half time.

Two goals from Tom Murnane and John Egan in the second half heralded a mini Kerry revival, but Limerick finished strong to run out convincing winners.

In the corresponding game last season, Kerry almost snatched a soft win over Limerick, but on this occasion Limerick were well-prepared under the guidance of Tony Hickey.

Scorers: Limerick: A. O'Shaughnessy (2-2), A. O'Connor (1-5), E. Ryan (1-3), P. Kirby, M. Noonan, P. Russell (0-2 each), P. McNamara, D. Breen (0-1 each).

Kerry: J. Egan (1-1), T. Murnane (1-0), I. McCarthy, D. Dineen, K. Fitzmaurice, S. Maunsell (0-1 each).

LIMERICK: M. Fitzgerald, D. Moloney, E. Benson, S. Walsh, B. Hanley, W. McNamara, D. Breen, D. Moloney, M. Noonan, P. Kirby, P. McNamara, P. Russell, A. O'Shaughnessy, A. O'Connor, E. Ryan.

KERRY: M. Ryall, F. Dillane, K. Dineen, M. Quilter, D. Walsh, M. Cronin, R. Galvin, I. McCarthy, B. O'Grady, D. Dineen, T. Murnane, J. Egan, K. Fitzmaurice, K. Leahy, S. Maunsell.

Referee: P. Casey (Waterford).