If big names play to form, Waterford can dethrone Cork

ABSOLUTELY intriguing! It best sums up tomorrow’s All-Ireland SHC quarter-final between holders Cork and Waterford.

Apart from the rarity of two Munster teams facing each other in Croke Park, there’s the added attraction that they clashed in the provincial championship two months ago.

The recent history of their Munster final clashes in the last two years, a further meeting in the semi-final of 2002 and the involvement of Justin McCarthy on the Waterford side, further enhances the appeal of the game.

And, if Kilkenny are to be weakened by the possible absence of three of their first-choice team for their quarter-final with Limerick in eight days time, who is to say that tomorrow’s clash may provide the eventual champions! When they last met, on May 22, Cork won by two points. Twelve months ago, Waterford won a Munster title by a point, Cork were champions the previous year by four points and went under by a single point in the 2002 semi-final.

What is intriguing is what Waterford managed in the last two meetings. They played the entire second half last year a man down, following the dismissal of John Mullane and two months ago, Ken McGrath went into the game seriously lacking match practice while Paul Flynn was hampered by a knee injury.

Interestingly, Brian Corcoran has been chosen after recovering from the shoulder injury which forced him off early in the Munster final. Yet, he wasn’t able to play with his club two weeks ago in the Cork championship, which raises a question about his match fitness. And, while Neil Ronan did very well after coming on for him against Tipperary, Corcoran remains a key member of the attack.

Whatever way Waterford supporters view their team, the general feeling would be that their potential is limited by a vulnerability in goal and around the full-back line. That was reflected in their encounter with Cork, when an unfortunate error by Fergal Hartley presented Joe Deane with the gift of a goal in the first minute. And, while Brenner could be blamed for the second goal (scored by Corcoran), Waterford were still able to come back fighting, inspired by some brilliant scores from team captain Eoin Kelly.

In the Munster final weaknesses were exposed at midfield and in the half-back line as Tipp stormed back into the game with a new-look attack. In mitigation, Cork may have suffered from complacency after appearing to be well in control at half-time.

We all know what standard Cork are capable of reaching, because they proved it several times last year, most notably in the All-Ireland final. But, so far this season they have not reached that consistency, although John Allen said the first-half performance against Tipp was the best in recent years.

Therein lies the key to victory from their perspective. And, it’s much the same with Waterford, who have the higher mountain to climb after being far from impressive against Clare.

Cork must be able to match Waterford’s hunger and be as motivated as they were against Kilkenny last September because of what happened to them twelve months earlier. If they manage this, they should advance.

If Waterford are to win, they must tighten up at the heart of their defence and hope that replacement keeper Clinton Hennessy is not unnerved by the occasion. And, just like Cork, they will need their big-name players to be on form. I think we can largely ignore what happened in Ennis. This is make-or-break and if things go their way I can see them winning.