Waterford 0-20
Cork 1-14
Denis Hurley reports from Páirc Uí Rinn
WATERFORD’S SECOND SUCCESSIVE Allianz Hurling League Division 1A win was well deserved at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday evening, though they almost had to settle for a draw.
Having led by 0-16 to 0-8 after a roaring start to the second half, the Déise found themselves under pressure as Cork improved in the closing stages.
The score stood at 0-20 to 0-14 when Patrick Hogan goaled from a Cork free in injury time, and only a good Stephen O’Keeffe save denied Paudie O’Sullivan what would have been an equalising goal.
Had Waterford been denied, it would have been harsh as Derek McGrath’s side were the superior outfit for much of the encounter.
They led by 0-11 to 0-7 at half-time, thanks to the reliable free-taking of Maurice Shanahan and excellent defensive displays from Philip Mahony and Darragh Fives, with Austin Gleeson full of industry at midfield.
Cork were offering little in attack though they could at least call on the dead-ball accuracy of Horgan, who scored three of their first-half points.
A response would have been expected from the hosts on the resumption, but instead Waterford pulled further clear, with Shane Bennett and Jamie Barron scoring fine efforts.
Just when the outcome seemed inevitable, Cork roused themselves as Conor Lehane scored two points and sub Alan Cadogan got on the scoresheet too.
Then, Waterford lost Shanahan to a red card for an off-the-ball incident in the closing stages, but Cadogan followed him moments later for a similar offence.
Horgan’s goal gave Cork brief hope, but it was to prove short-lived.
Scorers for Waterford: Maurice Shanahan 0-5 (0-4 frees, 0-1 65), Patrick Curran 0-4 (0-1f), Austin Gleeson 0-3 (0-1f), Colin Dunford, Jamie Barron 0-2 each, Kevin Moran, Shane Bennett, Darragh Fives, Jake Dillon 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 1-6 (1-4f), Conor Lehane 0-3, Brian Lawton 0-2, Aidan Walsh (0-1 sideline), Daniel Kearney, Alan Cadogan 0-1 each.
Waterford
1. Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner)
2. Shane Fives (Tourin)
4. Noel Connors (Passage)
3. Barry Coughlan (Ballygunner)
7. Philip Mahony (Ballygunner)
6. Darragh Fives (Tourin)
10. Kevin Moran (De La Salle)
5. Austin Gleeson (Mount Sion)
8. Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater)
12. Michael Walsh (Stradbally)
13. Patrick Curran (Dungarvan)
14. Jake Dillon (De La Salle)
15. Colin Dunford (Colligan)
11. Shane Bennett (Ballysaggart)
21. Maurice Shanahan (Lismore)
Subs
22. Brian O’Halloran (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg) for Bennett (59)
24. Tom Devine (Modeligo) for Curran (62)
23. Michael Kearney (Ballyduff Upper) for Dunford (70)
Cork
1. Anthony Nash (Kanturk)
7. Colm Spillane (Castlelyons)
4. Stephen McDonnell (Glen Rovers)
2. Shane O’Neill (Bishopstown)
5. Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s)
3. Christopher Joyce (Na Piarsaigh)
6. William Egan (Kilbrin)
8. Daniel Kearney (Sarsfield)
9. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk)
11. Bill Cooper (Youghal)
15. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)
12. Lorcán McLoughlin (Kanturk)
10. Brian Lawton (Castlemartyr)
14. William Leahy (Aghada)
13. Conor Lehane (Midleton)
Subs
20. Alan Cadogan (Douglas) for Leahy (half-time)
23. Stephen Moylan (Douglas) for Kearney (half-time)
18. Mark Ellis (Millstreet) for Egan (45)
24. Cormac Murphy (Mallow) for Spillane (48)
22. Cian McCarthy (Sarsfields) for Walsh (58, blood)
21. Páudie O’Sullivan (Cloyne) for McLoughlin (65)
Referee: James Owens (Wexford)