Rebel rising sees off Waterford in U21 clash at Páorc

Cork lived up to their favourites’ billing to reach the Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21HC final with a win over Waterford at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last night, but they were pushed all the way.

Trailing by 1-8 to 0-8 at half-time, the Rebels eventually ground down their visitors with late points from Declan Dalton, Liam Healy and sub Conor Cahalane, but it was a tough challenge, as manager Denis Ring had expected.

“We weren’t a bit surprised by Waterford; we knew exactly what they had, we had seen them playing,” said Ring. “They’re a serious team, very well organised and very cohesive, you could see that they had done a lot of work together and we were maybe a bit disjointed at times. In fairness to our lads, they may have been disjointed in some of the play, but they didn’t lack for courage to come along and get the win.