CORK AND WATERFORD battles in Thurles were a constant during my inter-county days. Taking a seat in the stand yesterday to watch the game rather than taking a spot on the field to play was strange.
Last year was more difficult adjusting to watching Cork matches, this year it’s easier. Arriving to Semple Stadium yesterday there was still that good buzz of Munster championship anticipation. My expectation was that Waterford would put them in a corner at times but Cork would ultimately win. Seeing Waterford race nine points ahead, Cork pegging them back and the teams finishing level in a frantic finale wasn’t what I envisaged.
Tactically Waterford got it spot on. The wind was a help in the first-half but the biggest reason was their dominance of Cork’s puckouts. Waterford targeted Patrick Cronin, got the ball down on to the ground and there they then cleaned Cork on the breaks.
They were composed at the back which allowed them to fire in better deliveries to their forwards. Creating time on the ball also allowed Jamie Nagle and Tadhg Burke to pick off great long-range points. But for nine first-half wides, Waterford could have been out of sight.
Cork were well off the pace in the first-half. During the league, we have seen Cork go through games where they drift out of it for periods. Yesterday that was more prolonged which was a worry. Coming under pressure, they needed to sort their structure out and get back to basics. It took a long time for that to happen.
Waterford must be really pleased with some of their performances. Michael Walsh’s composure was brilliant. He always took his time on the ball and searched for the right pass. Kevin Moran had a fine game and Pauric Mahony is the kind of freetaker who gives a side a real chance.
Austin Gleeson had a great first day out. He hit a point from play, struck a beautiful sideline and then there was that wonder goal. He showed fierce pace but Cork will be disappointed that no one got their body across to cut out his run or got a hurley in to hook him.
For all those positives for Waterford, Cork still hauled them back. Waterford faded out hugely. They expended a lot of energy to get ahead and several of their players went down with cramp near the end. That was down to fatigue. They looked to me like a team that was screaming for the final whistle.
Cork’s goal was key. It showed again how teams are vulnerable after scoring a goal and it was a messy one for Waterford to concede. They had opportunities to clear but didn’t. The first thing you teach underage players is get the ball out of the danger area. The longer it hangs around, the more dangerous it is and Bill Cooper, who did well when he came on, got the vital touch.
Cork brought Patrick Horgan outfield as well which was important. He’s their talisman and he wasn’t involved. Cork needed him to bring the game to Waterford and he did. He hit two good scores, set up another and fired over nine frees.
Cork’s real star was Alan Cadogan. He showed form in the league that he could potentially make this breakthrough. The main thing you’re looking for in a player in his debut that he shows for the ball every time, makes the run and makes himself available. It’s very easy to drift through a game and not stand up to be counted.
Alan showed real leadership by going for every ball from the start. He reminds me of Joe Deane in how he plays and he has a brilliant turn which allows him a few extra yards ahead of the defender. The point he got late on was outstanding.
Cork showed their character again to come back. But you can’t keep affording to stay out of games as you’ll get caught eventually. Aidan Walsh brought a lot to Cork’s midfield but showed a little inexperience in not tapping over an early point when they needed it.
Other lads found it hard to get going. Seamus Harnedy doesn’t have the element of surprise this year which makes it more challenging for him. The Cork tactics didn’t help him, he’s better in the half-forward line and showed that with a great first-half point after fielding a puckout from Anthony Nash.
Waterford will take huge confidence from yesterday. Their team and management believed they could beat Cork but I don’t think many of their supporters shared that view. They’ll take belief and bring that to the replay.
I don’t think Cork will play as badly as they did in that first-half again. After a game like that, they’ll be bursting to get back on track and would probably have preferred the replay to be next week given their disappointment.
Waterford put in such a huge effort that they’ll be glad of the fortnight break with their tired bodies. It’s going to be interesting and it’s a big challenge in the schedule with the winners out against Clare seven days after the replay.
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Two-time All-Ireland senior winner John Gardiner will be part of TheScore.ie’s hurling coverage throughout this summer.
