William Leahy’s second-half goal puts puts Cork on road to victory

Cork 2-18 Waterford 0-13: A chilly evening in north Cork began with freezing showers but warmed up, in fairness, for participants and the 588 spectators alike at this Munster Senior Hurling League clash. Cork will be happy with their 11-point win over neighbours Waterford, but the calendar, the climate and the conditioning of all concerned mean nobody will get too excited.

Cork opened early with a good Patrick O’Rourke point and Patrick Cronin added a 65 soon afterwards.

Waterford then got into gear, with Colin Dunford and Shane Bennett impressing at midfield, supplying the Déise forward division with plenty of ball. However, Bennett’s radar was off, with the Ballysaggart man putting three frees wide before finding his range. Luke O’Farrell’s sharpness got two points for Cork but Bennett (frees) and Shane O’Sullivan nudged Waterford ahead, 0-5 to 0-4, at the end of the first quarter. Seamus Harnedy, a blood sub for O’Rourke, had an immediate impact, hitting two points and pushing Cork ahead, thanks also to a Cronin free.