Déise boss Meaney braced for fierce battle as Rebels hunting final place

WATERFORD and Cork square off in tonight’s ESB Munster MHC semi-final replay in Walsh Park at 7.30pm with a place in next Sunday’s provincial decider against Clare in Semple Stadium the prize on offer for the victors.

Eleven days ago, Waterford’s free-scoring attacker Pauric Mahony nailed an injury-time free at the conclusion of extra-time in Páirc Uí Chaoimh to send this tie to a replay yet despite having home advantage on this occasion, Déise boss Jim Meaney is adamant that this will be a close-fought encounter again.

“People may say that the balance has now tilted our way because we have home advantage, but we don’t see it that way at all. We are playing a Cork team that just doesn’t want to hear of the word defeat as they proved in winning against Tipp also in extra-time. As far as we are concerned its only half-time in this semi-final and still all to play for. But that said, we are ready and will be up for it.”