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Semple Showdown

5 talking points after Cork and Waterford’s thrilling draw in Thurles

There was plenty of debate after today’s showdown at Semple Stadium.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

1. Waterford make light of injury woes

Waterford entered the game under the cloud of an injury crisis that saw them shorn of key options around the field. With Tony Browne the latest long-serving Deise player to have retired, they began this game as massive underdogs.

But Waterford made light of that tag and their injury problems. They were excellent and bossed this game for 50 minutes. Jamie Nagle, Michael Walsh and Tadhg Burke gave them a powerful platform around the middle while Pauric Mahony’s freetaking was immaculate.

Holding a 0-13 to 0-7 lead at half-time, their only regret was not being further ahead after amassing nine wides. Still they atoned for that to go nine ahead in the second-half on the back of a stunning Austin Gleeson goal. Cork caught them at the end and while seeing victory elude them will disappoint Waterford, this game proved they have plenty to offer.

2. Cork come back again from the dead

Cork didn’t get over the line in the Liam MacCarthy Cup race in 2013 but against Dublin and twice against Clare, they showed a capacity for rousing comebacks. That trend surfaced again this afternoon on their opening championship day of 2014.

Cork were six points down at half-time, nine points points down by the 47th minute, six points down with 15 minutes left and trailed by a point in injury-time. But on each occasion they showed the ability to remain composed, demonstrate resolve and haul themselves back into contention. Cork’s hurling was imperfect but their character saved them again.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

3. Waterford’s late fadeout and Cork’s sluggish start

The replay now looms large for both sides on June 8th and examining this drawn encounter will be the order of business for Derek McGrath and Jimmy Barry-Murphy over the next fortnight.

For Waterford the concern will be their late fadeout. Having opened up a commanding nine-point lead, they will rue the fact that they could not close out this game. Inexperience may have played a part in their decision-making late on and they were also hampered by Gleeson getting injured at a time when they had already used their five allotted subs.

Cork’s sluggish start is the source of angst for Barry-Murphy. They couldn’t get to the pitch of the game in the opening period and were unable to get a foothold in the middle third. Alan Cadogan was their solitary attacker to sparkle early on and it was not until they shuffled personnel and positions in the second-half that they caught fire. Settling to the game quicker is crucial for the replay.

4. A day for debutants to shine

Last September Austin Gleeson manned the heart of the Waterford defence as they won the All-Ireland minor title. Today he scored one of the greatest senior debutant goals with a sublime strike that lit up Semple Stadium. He wasn’t the only Waterford newcomer to catch the eye as Tadhg Burke was outstanding at half-back and added a memorable point as well.

Cork didn’t lack impressive debutants either. Alan Cadogan’s haul of four points from play, along with winning three frees that were converted, speaks volumes for his contribution to the Cork attack. While further back Mark Ellis anchored Cork’s defence splendidly in the second-half and Aidan Walsh had some fine moments at midfield.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

5. Munster hurling championship begins in style

As openers to the Munster hurling championship go, this was a great start. The second-half was a thrilling affair and the match ended in a frenetic fashion as Waterford attempted to withstand Cork’s revival.

It was heart-stopping stuff and seeing 2-42 served up over the course of 70 minutes – including two free taking exhibitions from Pauric Mahony and Patrick Horgan – left the supporters with plenty to enthuse about. With three more hurling showdowns now pencilled in for the next three Sundays, the Munster Council will hope their hurling production continues to scale the heights.

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