Joe Deane: Waterford rivalry defined Cork

Joe Deane faced Kilkenny in four All-Ireland finals, but he doesn’t take issue when it’s suggested it was the battles with Waterford that defined his career with Cork.

Simple maths explains some of that. Deane came across Brian Cody’s charges five times in total in championship. Waterford crossed his path 10 times over the course of his 14 seasons in red, but it was the quality of those games with his neighbouring Munster county that stood apart.

“Yeah, the first time I would have played against Kilkenny was in the ’99 All-Ireland final: 13 points to 12. It was lashing rain that day, a miserable day, and it wasn’t a particularly memorable game. ’04: Again there was no goals in it.