The significance of this victory for Cork
For all the talk about Jimmy Barry-Murphy having a young team at his disposal, it’s worth noting that only Daniel Kearney, Darren Sweetnam and Stephen Moylan of the 20 players in action yesterday are in their first year as senior inter-county hurlers. The quartet of Brian Murphy, Tom Kenny, Sean Óg Ó hAilpín and Niall McCarthy may have All-Ireland medals to their name but there is a core of the team that lined out against Waterford who need to kick on and pen their own senior success stories.
Anthony Nash, Shane O’Neill – who has publicly said he places little store in his 2005 All-Ireland senior medal claimed as a panellist – Eoin Cadogan, Patrick Cronin, Paudie O’Sullivan and Patrick Horgan have enough experience amassed at this stage to have learned their trade. Cork have not won a Munster title since 2005 and have only two All-Ireland semi-final appearances to their name in that period in 2008 and 2010.
Both of those were achieved after quarter-final victories over lower tier opposition in Clare and Antrim and both culminated in heavy defeats to Kilkenny. As a group of players seeking to establish themselves, yesterday was a landmark day as they displayed the resilience to win a major game in the All-Ireland series in a tight fashion against a genuine top-ranking team.
The importance of Cork’s bench
Jimmy Barry-Murphy spoke afterwards about how Cork’s display needs to be enhanced if they are to defeat Galway. He was right. He also spoke about how Cork’s substitutes made a critical impact. He was right in that regard also and it is a fact which will help nourish Cork’s hopes of success in the All-Ireland semi-final. They may not have had standout stars yesterday but it was a victory for collective effort with their panel starting to show signs of important depth.
All five substitutes yesterday made a vital input. Darren Sweetnam thundered into the game, epitomised by that turbo-charged run through the Déise defence late on that set up Luke O’Farrell for a point. Cathal Naughton was intelligent and alert in possession as well as grabbing two priceless points, including the crucial 61st minute score that kickstarted their revival. John Gardiner provided stability to their defensive line when replacing Eoin Cadogan, who admittedly was sick before the game which affected his performance.
Stephen Moylan made a couple of important blocks in chasing Waterford defenders and had a seemingly perfect point disallowed. And Lorcan McLoughlin got on a lot of ball and was effective in using it during his cameo. Waterford’s substitutes did not have the same effect but it was odd to see not one of Eoin Kelly, Gavin O’Brien, Martin O’Neill or Paul O’Brien drafted in at some juncture.
The lack of a Déise goalscoring punch
We spoke last week about how Waterford’s half-forward line needed to sparkle in a scoring sense from open play if they were to triumph. They did just that in striking six points between them, matching the combined amount they registered in the Clare and Tipperary game. Maurice Shanahan, whose placed ball striking was largely immaculate, and Pauric Mahony were both excellent.
But we also mentioned that Waterford needed to find the net, something they failed to achieve. It was a failing that had also cropped up in the Munster final against Tipperary yet yesterday the worry was that they did not create chances. Anthony Nash had a quiet afternoon in the shot-stopping department in comparison to his opposite number Stephen O’Keeffe.
Their main goalscoring weapons were John Mullane and Shane Walsh but Mullane was frequently too far from goal while Walsh was policed closely by Stephen McDonnell and was then forced off through injury with twenty minutes remaining. And when a fine opportunity arrived in the finale, Eoin McGrath dropped the ball and allowed the Cork defence to clear.
The rivalry that continues to endure
It may have not have approached the classic status that was routinely fixed to games between Cork and Waterford over the past decade but there was still enough to recommend from yesterday’s tie. The game was engaging and interesting with the teams trading point incessantly at one stage. And the finale was dripping with tension and Cork launched their comeback.
The dynamic has clearly changed as was evidenced by the fact that Dan Shanahan and Diarmuid O’Sullivan were on the pitch at half-time offering their thoughts to the crowd on the first-half play that had featured their respective younger brothers Maurice and Paudie in prominent roles. But while the protagonists are different, the rivalry remains keen, the games remain enthralling and there is enough youth in both teams to suggest they will continue operating at a high level.
A dejected Ken McGrath of Waterford during the final moments of the game. Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
The immediate outlook for Cork and Waterford
It was a galling defeat for Waterford as a game they should have made safe with ten minutes left ended up slipping from their grasp. Being defeated as result of shipping a string of points exacerbated the pain more. Cork were struggling and looked devoid of inspiration yet it was they finished in a stronger and more powerful fashion. Waterford will be aware that they need to improve their range of panel options but despite the emerging talents in their ranks, this defeat will hurt particularly as Kevin Moran, Mullane and Stephen Molumphy were all outstanding at stages.
For Cork a season that looked in disarray after the league final, is now on a steadier footing. There is an argument that year one of JBM’s second coming can now be termed a success. But equally there is now a golden chance for them to reach an All-Ireland final and they are the beneficiaries of a kind draw that saw them safely away from Kilkenny and Tipperary. Galway are a county that they traditionally will not fear yet they have suffered some torrid defeats against them in recent years both in league and championship.
There will be a demand that Cork improve significantly now but they do certainly have momentum and this win will breed confidence. The pressing issue will be how Galway have managed their five-week hiatus and whether they can reach the dizzying heights of their Leinster final win.
