Déise withstand late Rebel rally

TALK about a deceptive scoreline.

Most of yesterday’s NHL Division One clash between Cork and Waterford in Páirc Uí Chaoimh was akin to a challenge game, putting the dead in dead rubber.

A late rally from Cork cut a 13-point deficit at the three-quarter stage to a one-goal game with time running out, but no-one should be looking for Championship portents in this encounter, which was as competitive as a pitch-opening challenge for the most part.