Fanatical O'Rourke paying down Déise debt to Cork 

Cork have sent plenty of coaching expertise Waterford's way, but Cappoquin's Donal O'Rourke has travelled the other direction.

RIGHT HAND MAN: Cork’s selector Donal O'Rourke with manager Pat Ryan during the Munster SHC defeat of Tipperary. Pic: James Crombie, Inpho

There can hardly be a county in hurling that is as thankful to another for the coaches it has provided as Waterford’s debt to Cork. Other than the gratitude Offaly owe Kilkenny for Diarmuid Healy, none really comes close.

For decades Waterford had ceased dreaming of Liam MacCarthy but that all changed with the arrival of Gerald and Justin McCarthy.