Waterford 3-19
Cork 1-21
Fintan O’Toole reports from Semple Stadium, Thurles
FIVE WEEKS AFTER tasting league glory, Waterford proved that victory was no aberration as they saw off Cork again this afternoon in Thurles.
This time it was the setting of a Munster semi-final with Waterford booking their place in the decider on 12 July and ensuring they’ll contest their first provincial senior hurling decider since 2012.
Maurice Shanahan, Jake Dillon and substitute Tom Devine all hit the net for Derek McGrath’s side with Patrick Horgan raising a green flag from a penalty for Cork.
Fault lines surfaced in Waterford’s attacking play in the opening period as they struck nine wides. It took until the 25th minute for them to register a score from play but then they exploded into life, prising apart the Cork defence and plundering two goals.
Maurice Shanahan cracked home the first one as he profited from Austin Gleeson electing to deliver in a long ball rather than attempt a point. Shanahan outfielded Stephen McDonnell and turned to unleash a shot that was placed powerfully out of Anthony Nash’s reach.
Minutes later Waterford bagged their second. Michael Walsh made the hard yards before popping in a hand pass that released Jake Dillon, whose run had evaded the Cork defence. The De La Salle man finished crisply past Nash and Waterford had surged 2-5 to 0-8 ahead.
Those two scores were crucial in inspiring Waterford in the first-half yet Cork still had reason to be optimistic at half-time. Patrick Cronin, a late introduction for the injured Seamus Harnedy before the game, fired over three first-half points from play and Cork’s work rate in the early stages was markedly improved on the league decider.
Waterford were in front 2-6 to 0-11 at the interval before then emerging to reel off three points without reply courtesy of Shanahan (2) and Colin Dunford. Shanahan deputised impressively for regular injured freetaker Pauric Mahony and finished with 1-9 to his credit.
After that bright start to the second-half, Waterford pushed on and were able to keep Cork at an arms length on the scoreboard. Substitutes Shane Bennett and Patrick Curran got in on the scoring act on their senior championship debuts while Stephen Bennett also bagged a pair of points.
Cork kept in touch but were generally trailing by margins of five or six points and they were further hit when full-forward Luke O’Farrell was shown a red card in the 63rd minute for an off-the-ball strike.
Still they nearly launched an improbable comeback when Horgan smashed home a 70th minute penalty following a foul on Conor Lehane.
The gap was cut to two points yet Waterford held their nerve in the four minutes of injury-time with Devine grabbing the third goal that sealed their victory after a goalmouth scramble.
Scorers for Waterford: Maurice Shanahan 1-9 (0-7f, 0-1 ’65), Tom Devine, Jake Dillon 1-0 each, Shane Bennett, Stephen Bennett, Kevin Moran 0-2 each, Tadhg De Búrca, Austin Gleeson (0-1f), Colin Dunford, Patrick Curran 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 1-7 (0-6f, 1-0 pen), Patrick Cronin 0-5, Alan Cadogan 0-2, Mark Ellis, Daniel Kearney, Aidan Walsh, Bill Cooper, Conor Lehane, Luke O’Farrell, Darren McCarthy (0-1 ’65) 0-1 each.
Waterford
1. Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner)
3. Barry Coughlan (Ballygunner)
4. Noel Connors (Passage)
2. Shane Fives (Tourin)
6. Austin Gleeson (Mount Sion)
5. Tadhg de Búrca (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg)
7. Philip Mahony (Ballygunner)
8. Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater)
10. Kevin Moran (De La Salle)
21. Maurice Shanahan (Lismore)
15. Colin Dunford (Colligan)
12. Jake Dillon (De La Salle)
11. Stephen Bennett (Ballysaggart)
14. Michael Walsh (Stradbally)
13. Brian O’Halloran (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg)
Subs
22. Shane Bennett (Ballysaggart) for O’Halloran (44)\
9. Tom Devine (Modeligo) for Stephen Bennett (60)
20. Eddie Barrett (De La Salle) for Dunford (62)
25. Patrick Curran (Dungarvan) for Dillon (67)
Cork
1. Anthony Nash (Kanturk) Capt.
2. Shane O’Neill (Bishopstown)
3. Stephen McDonnell (Glen Rovers)
4. Brian Murphy (Bride Rovers)
5. Damien Cahalane (St. Finbarr’s)
6. Mark Ellis (Millstreet)
7. Cormac Murphy (Mallow)
8. Daniel Kearney (Sarsfields)
12. Bill Cooper (Youghal)
10. Conor Lehane (Midleton)
20. Patrick Cronin (Bishopstown)
9. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk)
13. Alan Cadogan (Douglas)
15. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)
14. Luke O’Farrell (Midleton)
Subs
22. Rob O’Shea (Carrigaline) for Murphy (45)
23. Darren McCarthy (Ballymartle) for Kearney (50)
25. Paudie O’Sullivan (Cloyne) for Walsh (56)
Referee: Barry Kelly (Westmeath)
Hooper is somewhat of an anomaly in that he’s a world class 7 that’s basically never been injured for any notable length of time. Not even 29 and nearly a test centurion. Remarkable when you consider how brutal the game is physically these days.
Hopefully, someone will pick up the broadcast rights over here. The quality in the Top League has been “mixed” in recent years with some big name players on the downswing of their careers chasing a last big payday but there seems to be a real uptick in the quality of players & coaches heading there for next season, so it could make for interesting viewing.
@Del McG: yuuuuuuuppppaaaaa
Why, what is the point of playing in Japan. Its understandable in your mid 30s at the end of your career but in his prime why wouldn’t he move to England or France. Probably get the same money and will play a very competitive level of rugby, rather than just collect a pay check and play in a mickey mouse league
@s mc: you answered your own question there chief
@s mc: Big bucks, not as far from home, can basically stay match fit for a return to Super Rugby and the Wallabies when this passes. Will likely get a big contract in France for a couple of years when he calls it quits on his Wallaby career if he still wants to play at a high level.
@s mc: Even though he has had a break, in Japan he can earn the same money as he would in England and France, and its a lot easier on his body. Who wouldn’t take the easier money?
@Kingshu: I would rather look back on career and have won another meaningful tournament than protecting myself.
@s mc: It may beca longer career to look back on, by taking the Japan option
@s mc: Lad, it’s not that hard. He’s not retiring. He’ll be closer to 29 than 30 when this finishes. Consider it a gap year type arrangement. Still opportunities to win trophies but he’s filling the rugby career dead space with a bit of pick up ball that he gets paid really well for. He’ll do the 6 months, pocket a pay check and slot back in as a world class operator with 4-5 years at the top left in him when it’s done. It’s the smart decision for a guy who’s been playing elite back row rugby for 11 years already.
@s mc: yes