Sylvester Hennessy: Forward line frailties at root of Cork’s downfall

Cork’s inability to break down the Waterford ‘system’ once again proved their downfall in Thurles.

For the second successive game a complete malfunction of Cork’s inner forward line was crucial to the outcome. While many may point to Cork’s defensive frailties for the loss it was their inability to win clean possession in their attack that must have really frustrated Jimmy Barry-Murphy and his management team.

Cork delivered the ball into their opposition ’45 metre line on 37 occasions and only won clean possession 11 times.