Fintan O'Toole
Reports from SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Cork 3-25
Waterford 1-17
CORK’S LAST LEAGUE outing before today on home soil saw them collect silverware and win by ten points.
The interim was defined by the crushing disappointment they suffered in Croke Park last July, but they marked their return to the early season competitive arena with a success of comfort this afternoon at the expense of Waterford.
14 points served as separation between the teams at the final whistle, illustrating the gulf that existed between the teams. Cork started with two-thirds of their All-Ireland final starters, Waterford were shorn first-time regulars, and both those aspects blended together as factors that delivered the outcome.
Waterford's Daniel Lalor challenges Declan Dalton of Cork. Tom Maher / INPHO
Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
Cork were totally dominant from the off. By the time Shane Barrett recorded their first wide of the game, they had already amassed ten points. Barrett had chipped in with three of those as the spearhead of a rampant Cork forward line, while Declan Dalton was a striking focal point inside. The half-back trio of Cormac O’Brien, Robert Downey, and Mark Coleman were in commanding form, ensuring a constant supply of quality deliveries to the attack
The first-half display from the home team was decorated by two goals. Alan Connolly bundled home the first in the 18th minute, benefitting from the sefless approach play of Declan Dalton as he broke the cover and passed inside to Connolly, unmarked close to goal. That left Cork 1-11 to 0-3 clear and already it felt damage limitation stuff for Waterford.
Dalton would raise a green flag himself ten minutes later, smashing home a penalty past Billy Nolan after Brian Roche was hauled down as he charged towards goal. To compound Waterford’s woes, Mark Fitzgerald received a black card for that foul.
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At one stage Waterford trailed by 15 points, that gap was cut slightly to 13 at the break, as Cork were ahead 2-15 to 0-9. Reuben Halloran, Waterford’s best forward on the day by a distance, struck six first-half points and finished with 13 overall.
Waterford needed goals though to inject life into their challenge. Seán Walsh’s first-half drive was blocked by Patrick Collins and the goalkeeper was equal to another effort by Halloran early in the second half.
But Halloran broke clear in the 45th minute and was fouled by Robert Downey, a black card and a penalty the punishments for that intervention. Shane Bennett drilled home the shot to spark some cheer amongst the Waterford crowd present.
William Buckley takes a selfie with Cork supporters after the game. Tom Maher / INPHO
Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
Cork soon made amends, newcomer William Buckley capping a brilliant personal showing as he rammed home the third goal after Alan Connolly created the opening.
From there to the finish was an exercise in scorekeeping. Buckley’s strike pushed Cork 14 clear and they protected that position to the finish, the teams trading six points apiece.
Ben O’Connor was left content after a positive start as he plots a trip to face Galway next Saturday night. For Peter Queally’s Waterford charges, it was a sobering afternoon as they get set to welcome Limerick next Sunday, the game ending on a sour note with Sean Walsh being shown a late red card.
Peter Queally and Ben O'Connor shake hands after the game. Tom Maher / INPHO
Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
Scorers for Cork: Declan Dalton 1-4 (1-0 pen), William Buckley 1-4, Alan Connolly 1-2 (0-1f), Diarmuid Healy 0-4, Shane Barrett 0-3, Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-3 (0-1f), Mark Coleman 0-2, Hugh O’Connor 0-1, Tommy O’Connell 0-1, Brian Roche 0-1.
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Dominant Cork hit 3-25 in comfortable win over Waterford
Cork 3-25
Waterford 1-17
CORK’S LAST LEAGUE outing before today on home soil saw them collect silverware and win by ten points.
The interim was defined by the crushing disappointment they suffered in Croke Park last July, but they marked their return to the early season competitive arena with a success of comfort this afternoon at the expense of Waterford.
14 points served as separation between the teams at the final whistle, illustrating the gulf that existed between the teams. Cork started with two-thirds of their All-Ireland final starters, Waterford were shorn first-time regulars, and both those aspects blended together as factors that delivered the outcome.
Cork were totally dominant from the off. By the time Shane Barrett recorded their first wide of the game, they had already amassed ten points. Barrett had chipped in with three of those as the spearhead of a rampant Cork forward line, while Declan Dalton was a striking focal point inside. The half-back trio of Cormac O’Brien, Robert Downey, and Mark Coleman were in commanding form, ensuring a constant supply of quality deliveries to the attack
The first-half display from the home team was decorated by two goals. Alan Connolly bundled home the first in the 18th minute, benefitting from the sefless approach play of Declan Dalton as he broke the cover and passed inside to Connolly, unmarked close to goal. That left Cork 1-11 to 0-3 clear and already it felt damage limitation stuff for Waterford.
Dalton would raise a green flag himself ten minutes later, smashing home a penalty past Billy Nolan after Brian Roche was hauled down as he charged towards goal. To compound Waterford’s woes, Mark Fitzgerald received a black card for that foul.
At one stage Waterford trailed by 15 points, that gap was cut slightly to 13 at the break, as Cork were ahead 2-15 to 0-9. Reuben Halloran, Waterford’s best forward on the day by a distance, struck six first-half points and finished with 13 overall.
Waterford needed goals though to inject life into their challenge. Seán Walsh’s first-half drive was blocked by Patrick Collins and the goalkeeper was equal to another effort by Halloran early in the second half.
But Halloran broke clear in the 45th minute and was fouled by Robert Downey, a black card and a penalty the punishments for that intervention. Shane Bennett drilled home the shot to spark some cheer amongst the Waterford crowd present.
Cork soon made amends, newcomer William Buckley capping a brilliant personal showing as he rammed home the third goal after Alan Connolly created the opening.
From there to the finish was an exercise in scorekeeping. Buckley’s strike pushed Cork 14 clear and they protected that position to the finish, the teams trading six points apiece.
Ben O’Connor was left content after a positive start as he plots a trip to face Galway next Saturday night. For Peter Queally’s Waterford charges, it was a sobering afternoon as they get set to welcome Limerick next Sunday, the game ending on a sour note with Sean Walsh being shown a late red card.
Scorers for Cork: Declan Dalton 1-4 (1-0 pen), William Buckley 1-4, Alan Connolly 1-2 (0-1f), Diarmuid Healy 0-4, Shane Barrett 0-3, Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-3 (0-1f), Mark Coleman 0-2, Hugh O’Connor 0-1, Tommy O’Connell 0-1, Brian Roche 0-1.
Scorers for Waterford: Reuben Halloran 0-13 (0-8f, 0-2 ’65), Shane Bennett 1-0 (1-0 pen), Jamie Barron 0-2, Darragh Lyons 0-1, Calum Lyons 0-1.
Cork
1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)
2. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), 3. Daire O’Leary (Watergrasshill), 4. Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)
5. Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum), 6. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), 7. Mark Coleman (Blarney)
8. Tommy O’Connell (Midleton), 9. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville – captain)
10. Brian Roche (Bride Rovers), 11. Shane Barrett (Blarney), 12. Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold)
13. William Buckley (St Finbarr’s), 14. Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills), 15. Alan Connolly (Blackrock)
Subs
Waterford
1. Billy Nolan (Roanmore)
3. Conor Prunty (Abbeyside Ballinacourty – captain), 2. Daniel Lalor (De La Salle), 4. Conor Keane (De La Salle)
5. Iarlaith Daly (Lismore), 6. Mark Fitzgerald (Passage), 11. Shane Bennett (Ballysaggart)
8. Darragh Lyons (Dungarvan), 13. Seán Mackey (Fenor)
12. Reuben Halloran (De La Salle), 9. Jamie Barron (Fouremilewater), 7. Jack Fagan (De La Salle)
14. James Power (Clonea), 10. Seán Walsh (Fourmilewater), 15. Charlie Treen (Abbeyside Ballinacourty)
Subs
Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)
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Cork GAA Hurling Ruthless Rebels Waterford